Public attitudes about integration and citizenship for refugees: Evidence from Turkey

Abstract

This study examines attitudes about integration and support for citizenship in the context of the Syrian refugee crisis in Turkey based on 85 interviews in four provinces. Consistent with past research, respondents reported multiple threat perceptions around refugees, with security and cultural threats predominating. Those who perceived refugees as threatening in three or more ways generally believed in fewer prospects for integration and were unlikely to support citizenship. However, positive views were present among those who reported one or even two types of threats, indicating there are possibilities for developing inclusionary attitudes even in the presence of threat perceptions. Our research also identifies two counterintuitive reasons some individuals support citizenship for refugees: to reduce security threats and remedy perceived favoritism in social support policies. These findings shed light on the complex bases of attitudes around migration and have important implications for designing refugee settlement policies and efforts to support integration.