An examination on attitudes and behaviors toward migrants: The case of Şanlıurfa

This study aims to examine the attitudes and behaviors of the people of Şanlıurfa toward Syrian refugees. Şanlıurfa is one of the cities most affected by migration from Syria to Turkey. Intergroup Threat Theory is discussed and the validity of this theory to the case of the city of Şanlıurfa is tested through ethnic, religious and cultural factors. When we look at the existing literature, we see an accumulation of knowledge regarding similar experiences in the case of Europe and USA, and although there are exceptions to this experience in the case of Europe and America, it has mainly been lived through cultures that are cultures that are unfamiliar with each other. This situation may cause incoming immigrants to be considered as foreigners and increase the perceived threat and thus the anti-immigrant sentiment. However, the residents of Şanlıurfa province have a close culture in many respects with the Syrian immigrants who have already arrived. They share a common history and border, and even have kinship ties. Nevertheless, a rising anti-immigrant sentiment in the city is reflected both in the local media and in the studies carried out there. This study aims to make a qualitative contribution using an in-depth interview technique. For the research, the interview sample was selected among the residents who have lived in Şanlıurfa since the pre-immigration period to learn how residents perceive the transformation after the migration. The findings show that the perception of threat is effective in anti-immigrant opposition, regardless of ethno-cultural partnership. In the field, narratives about both symbolic and 'realistic' threat perceptions were conveyed together. Keywords: Anti-immigrant, Ethno-Cultural, Immigration, Othering, Perception of Threat, Xenophobia.