The impact of migration management in Türkiye on Syrians' return intentions: The case of Kilis

Migration is one of the most significant social phenomena of the last century, occurring frequently and having major impacts. In particular, managing migration is one of the most important issues to focus on in cases of mass migration. Therefore, the integration of migrants into their new environment and their acceptance by the local population are crucial in preventing the negative consequences of migration. In this context, millions of Syrians have sought refuge in Turkey as a result of the Syrian civil war and have settled in large numbers, particularly in provinces close to the Syrian border. One such province is Kilis, which has the highest concentration of Syrians relative to its own population. Significant steps have been taken within the framework of migration management to integrate Syrians, who have reached such high numbers in these provinces, into Turkey and the provinces where they live. However, at the end of 2024, the Baath regime was overthrown by the opposition in Syria. At this point, the question of whether Syrians in Turkey will return to Syria has become important. The study examines the effects of migration management practices in Turkey on the return intentions of Syrians, specifically focusing on Syrians living in Kilis. The study involved reviewing printed and electronic sources, conducting field observations, and collecting data through a survey administered to a specific group. Using the data obtained, the migration management applied to Syrians in Kilis and the Syrians' thoughts on returning home were examined under separate headings, and general conclusions were reached. In this regard, it can be said that Syrians living in Kilis generally do not intend to return to Syria, but they still face serious problems in certain aspects of their daily lives. The study also makes recommendations for eliminating these problems and completing the integration process.