'My heart is broken': Austria's first Syrian deportation spurs anxiety for refugee community

Austria's deportation of a Syrian man to Damascus in early July 2025, marking the first case of its kind by an EU country in over 15 years, has triggered widespread alarm among the Syrian refugee community, which fears it could pave the way for mass deportations.

The deportation followed an April 2025 visit to Syria by Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner and German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser to discuss repatriation protocols.

Austrian authorities said the man, whose asylum status was revoked due to terrorism convictions, represented an isolated threat. Delayed initially by Iran-Israel conflict airspace closures, the operation saw Austrian police escort the deportee via Istanbul to Damascus on a single-leg flight.

The 32-year-old Syrian, whose identity wasn't revealed, entered Austria as a refugee in 2015.

In 2018, he was sentenced to seven years in prison by the Salzburg Regional Court for involvement with the Islamic State (IS). According to the verdict, his goal was to recruit members for IS through social media posts.

Upon release, Austria revoked his international protection under laws permitting the withdrawal of status for national security threats.

Karner, from the governing conservative People's Party (OeVP), said in a statement that the deportation "is part of a tough and therefore just asylum policy… The path of deporting convicted criminals from Syria will be continued with hard work and determination," with more deportations to follow in the future.

Anxiety and uncertainty

The deportation has unsettled Austria's estimated 58,000 Syrian refugees, according to the UN's High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), with many fearing it establishes a legal precedent to justify broader removals under assertions Syria is now "safe."

"My heart is broken. I had my children in exile after I came here with my wife. Austria became my homeland. After 12 years building a life, how do I convince my children this is temporary? A sudden deportation order reminds us nothing is permanent here." Ahmed Kholaif, 42, a civil engineer from Al-Qusayr city in western Syria, said.

"Returning to Syria endangers my family. Human rights groups confirm it isn't safe," the father of three children aged 11, 5 and 4 added. "My children know no other homeland. Austria is their home."

Four and a half months since the fall of the Assad regime, the political and security situation in Syria is "extremely fragile", the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir O. Pedersen, told the UN Security Council in April.

Plans for establishing the rule of law, a new social contract, and free and fair elections "remain to be seen", Pederson noted in his statement.

Abdul Hakim al-Shatir, head of the Free Syrian Community Association in Austria, supported legal action against "convicted terrorists" but cautioned against any possible future mass deportations.

"We reject using this case to justify wider deportations affecting innocents or political opponents. Austrian authorities must distinguish between criminals and refugees who fled repression."

Sami al-Hassan, 50, a dentist who arrived in Austria in 2013, along with his wife and daughter, said that he feels like "being uprooted" for a second time after leaving his hometown of Homs in central Syria, which was one of the most affected cities during the 14-year-long Syrian civil war.

"After all these years here, building relationships and friendships, and settling my family in a safe environment, the spectre of mass deportation threatens to uproot us... Yes, some call for change in Syria, but it won't be easy or safe. I feel we are victims of political decisions ignoring our suffering and the difficulties of return," al-Hassan added. 

In a move to encourage voluntary return to Syria, Austria has said it is offering Syrian refugees in the country a 'return bonus' of 1,000 euros to go back to their country.

"Austria will support Syrians who wish to return to their home country with a return bonus of 1,000 euros. The country now needs its citizens in order to be rebuilt," Conservative Chancellor Karl Nehammer said in a statement posted in English and German on X.

Germany's parallel policy shift

Germany, hosting approximately 975,000 Syrians, the largest cohort in Europe, signalled similar intentions.

The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) has put all asylum applications from Syrian nationals on hold until further notice after the toppling of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Data shows over 300,000 Syrians there hold subsidiary protection due to past war conditions.

Asylum requests will not be processed until there is more clarity on political developments in the country, which is just emerging from a 14-year civil war, the Interior Ministry said in a statement.

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stated in January 2025 that some refugees "may have to return" if Syria's situation stabilises, with protection status reviews underway.

"Those who integrated well, with jobs, German language skills and new roots here, should stay. But criminals and Islamists must be deported the fastest." She confirmed Germany's Foreign and Interior Ministries are jointly assessing Syria’s security landscape.

Germany has paused new asylum decisions pending evaluations. Data shows over 300,000 Syrians there hold subsidiary protection due to past war conditions.

"My brother, mother, and I came to Germany as refugees 11 years ago. I work here as a nurse, love my job, and feel I've become part of German society," Sarah Hammoud, 42, told The New Arab over the phone from her small flat in Berlin.

"Today, I find it hard to accept the idea of stability; I feel the future is uncertain, and our deportation could happen anytime," she added.

The BAMF also offered financial support to Syrians who wish to return home, with a maximum of 4,000 euros per family. This assistance is intended to cover travel costs, initial financial support, and, if needed, medical expenses.

Financial incentives

Other EU countries are also offering Syrians incentives to encourage them to return voluntarily to Syria. However, most of them advise their nationals against travelling to Syria because of the security risks.

Denmark is offering Syrian refugees financial bonuses of up to 27,000 euros per adult and 6,700 euros per child to return home. Like other EU countries, such as Austria, weighing the option of paid repatriation, Denmark's policy stands out amid ongoing uncertainty in Syria.

Cyprus stated that Syrians who agree to voluntary repatriation and relinquish their asylum claims or international protection status, which was granted to them prior to December 2024, will be offered a one-time payment of 2,000 euros for each adult and 1,000 euros for each child.

Dutch News reported that the Netherlands has offered Syrians 900 euros to return home, in exchange for withdrawing their asylum claims.

This story was published in collaboration with @Egab