Syria’s Refugees Return Home filled with Hope!

B Stands for Bravery

Greetings,

On December 8, Syria’s dictator, Bashar al-Assad fled Damascus to seek refuge in Moscow as rebel groups advanced towards the capital. The nearly 60-year-era of one of the most brutal dictatorships in the world is now over. But the nearly 14-year-long war against the people of Syria, since their peaceful uprising in 2011, has caused the largest global refugee crisis of our time, resulting in more than 14 million refugees and more than 7.2 million internally displaced. As of today, the death toll estimates are as high as 620,000, which is an astonishing number in a country with a prewar population of only 22 million. Thousands of Syrians remain missing including family friends and my grandfather who was taken in early 1980s, without official confirmation about his whereabouts despite rumors that he died under torture during Hafez al-Assad regime.

For most Syrians, since at least 2011, the very idea of home has shifted beneath their feet, a whole nation has gone forcibly homeless for a decade and a half including at least 2 million children, making Syria the country with the most children refugees. Approximately 5.5 million refugees live in the five countries neighboring Syria—Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt. In Europe, Germany is the largest host country with more than 850,000 Syrians. The United States has only admitted less than 12,000 Syrians since 2011. But now Syrians are starting to return home.

The conditions in the war-torn country are extremely fragile. Seventy percent of Syria’s population is in need of humanitarian assistance and 90 percent live below the poverty line. Yet, people have been celebrating their freedom all over the country for the past two weeks. They are gathering in public squares, singing the revolution songs, and dancing, while also mourning the loss of loved ones.

As we approach the end of 2024, Syria gives me great hope despite the horrors its people lived under for so long. The opportunity to re-build an inclusive country for all Syrians is now, and nothing will stop Syrians from fighting for their freedom and dignity. The world witnessed how the 82,000 barrel bombs, chemical weapons, and torture did not scare Syrians from continuing to march in the streets demanding democracy and basic human rights. As a Syrian-American who was forced to flee my hometown, Damascus, nearly 20 years ago because of direct death threats from Bashar al-Assad to my family, I’m thankful for the United States for giving us a chance to live freely and to have a home again after being forcibly uprooted.

As a citizen of this great nation, I urge all of us to stay dedicated to the struggle for migrants and immigrants to have a second chance at life in our country. As we face negative rhetoric and plans that threaten the values of welcome in the United States, let us always remember that America is a nation of immigrants. As Emma Lazarus said, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." So, let’s continue to advocate for and welcome newcomers, while celebrating their massive contributions to our nation.

Happy Holidays!

Oula

Oula Alrifai
Assistant Vice President of Field and Constituencies
National Immigration Forum

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