Special Report | Turkey Elections: Potential Change in Immigration Policy and Concerns of Iranian Migrants

As anti-immigration policies have become one of the "vote-winning" slogans in the Turkish elections, several Iranian migrants residing in Turkey have expressed to Voice of America their concerns about the potential changes in immigration laws. Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the rival of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, claims he will return over "10 million illegal migrants" living in the country within a year "in accordance with international laws and human rights." The second round of this election will be held on Sunday, June 7. According to some experts, the electoral slogans regarding migrants will be one of the determining factors in this round of elections. Omer Ozdag, the leader of the "Victory Party," which advocates for anti-immigration policies, has supported Kilicdaroglu and agreed with him on the return of migrants. In the first round of the elections, Recep Tayyip Erdogan received 49.5% of the votes, while Kilicdaroglu received 44.9%. Najat Bahrami, a journalist residing in Turkey, told Voice of America: "The issue of migrants has become a very important political issue in Turkey over the years, and the promise to expel illegal migrants and restrict legal migrants by candidates is a vote-winning promise." He adds that anti-immigration policies "do not lack support among the people, and the ongoing economic crisis and inflation, as well as the depreciation of the lira, have caused a negative perception of migrants among the public, with many people in Turkey considering illegal migrants, often Syrians, as a burden on the Turkish people." This journalist points out that most Iranians living in Turkey have "fled Iran in some way and had no choice but to leave Iranian soil" and temporarily reside in Turkey, stating that they are "now facing a significant crisis" and it is unclear what fate awaits them if anti-migrant policies are implemented in Turkey, especially if Erdogan's rival wins, which is a major concern for Iranian families residing in Turkey. Mahshid Nazemi, a civil rights activist and refugee in Turkey, categorizes Iranian migrants in the country into three groups: refugees, investors, and those residing on tourist visas, adding that "the harsh policies that Erdogan's rival speaks of have raised many concerns." She elaborates on the worries of Iranian investors in Turkey following the anti-migrant campaign slogans, indicating that the greatest danger is for refugees, especially political and civil activists, individuals who have changed their religion, and members of the LGBTQ community. According to Nazemi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees has referred the cases of refugees in Turkey to the immigration office and police, who "reject cases on flimsy grounds" and subject refugees to "long court processes" and "issue deportation orders." Nazemi adds that political activists face the risk of "imprisonment, torture, and execution" if deported, and LGBTQ members "are also under pressure from their families and are threatened with death." An informed source on Turkish affairs, who wished to remain anonymous, told Voice of America that strict measures against migrants will be maintained regardless of which candidate wins. According to them, if the Justice and Development Party and its candidate, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, win the election and remain in power, the current situation will continue, although there are also strict measures for migrants in this party's policies, and refugees are currently being "rejected." This informed source states that anti-immigration policies in Turkey are not exclusive to Iranians and apply to all foreigners residing in Turkey, adding that the opposing policies are "more stringent" and Kilicdaroglu has stated that if he wins, he will return all Syrian and Afghan refugees within a year and will deal harshly with foreigners. This informed source also emphasizes that if Kilicdaroglu wins, "most Iranian migrants, whether refugees or investors, will be forced to leave Turkey." Alongside concerns about the intensification of anti-immigration policies if Kilicdaroglu wins, Kurdish opponents of Recep Tayyip Erdogan are also worried that his victory will strengthen the repression against them.