The Shift on Turkish Immigration Policy in Responding to the Migration of Syrian Population (2014-2016)

Abstract

Since implementation of Turkey Open-Door policy at the beginning of the civil war, which allows immigrants to enter and settle in Turkey, Turkey has become one of the countries with the most Syrian immigrants. Turkish government declared that those who had fled the conflict in Syria would be allowed to cross the border and be admitted to Turkey. However, these migratory movement impacted the security of the country. The Syrian immigrants can be seen as a threat since the development on the concept of security which defined that security is no longer just about survival, but also low-politics elements like welfare, good health, culture. Therefore, the immigrants have threatened the non-military parts of the security of Turkey, mainly in social and economic areas. By this, the Turkish government changed its immigration policy responding the impacts of Syrians immigrants to the country and its local community. The shift on Turkish immigration policy aims to limit the number of immigrants who come to Turkey and to control their movement within the country. Modifications in immigration policies were followed by its implementation and the action on wall construction along the border of Turkey with Syria. Using the concept of securitization of migration by Phillipe Bourbeau, it can be seen that the shift in immigration policy by the Turkish government is an act of securitization of migration intended to protect the country and its citizens.