Migration policies and the role of municipalities: The case of Çorum

This study examines the impact of the mass migration originating from Syria on local governments and evaluates the effectiveness of migration policies. The main point of departure for the research is the observation that, compared to the central government, the most intense effects of Syrian-origin migration have been felt at the local level, particularly by municipalities. The study discusses how migration policies are implemented at the local level and the challenges municipalities face in this process. Issues such as service delivery, integration, and urban life are given particular emphasis. The primary research question is to identify the main problems that the mass migration from Syria has created for municipalities and the responsibilities they have undertaken in this process. This question is addressed through field research using qualitative methods, specifically semi-structured interviews. The interviews were conducted with the Deputy Mayor of Çorum, staff from the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management, and refugees residing in the city. Data obtained from these interviews and from the literature were used to conduct a comparative analysis of migration policies across different municipalities, evaluated within the framework of a situational analysis. An exploratory approach was also adopted to reveal the distinct outcomes of the migration management process in Çorum compared to other municipalities. The findings demonstrate that municipalities are increasingly assuming greater burdens and responsibilities. Although this growing responsibility has been observed, various limitations are encountered in practice due to restricted authority and financial constraints, and these limitations differ across municipalities. The study concludes that the role of municipalities in migration management needs to be strengthened.