Syrian refugees in Rostock face rising anti-immigrant sentiment
Shahd Najeeb and her husband fled Syria more than a decade ago and rebuilt their lives in Rostock, joining a larger Syrian community in Germany. Reuters interviews with 20 people in Rostock and nearby Schwerin documented increased anti-immigrant abuse, including insults and hostile acts, as the AfD gains ground in eastern Germany and migration dominates political debate. The state relies on migrants for work: about 50,000 people with a migration background work in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and Germany recorded about 287,000 employed Syrian nationals in September 2024. Some migrants said they would consider leaving if the atmosphere worsens, posing risks to local labor supply and integration.
Rising anti-immigrant tensions threaten migrant retention in eastern Germany
Context
The AfD has gained support in eastern Germany and migration is a major political issue. Many migrants already work in the region and some face more abuse. If hostility rises, some migrants could leave and affect local workforces.
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