Integration Problems of Foreigners in the Federal Republic of Germany and Their Implications for the Police - From the Viewpoint of the Police (From Bestandsaufnahme und Perspektiven der Verbrechensbekaempfung, P 67-83, 1982 - See NCJ-89221)

• NCJ Number: 89226
• Author(s): K Huebner
• Date Published: 1982
• Length: 17 pages
• Corporate Author: Bundeskriminalamt
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: German
• Country: West Germany (Former)
• Note: Series: BKA Vortrapreike N 27 Lecture given at the Workshop of the Bundeskriminalamt in Weisbaden from Nov. 9-12, 1981

Annotation

Turkish nationals constitute one-third of 4.5 million aliens in West Germany and one-half of the 12-percent alien population of West Berlin. The most serious integration problems and criminal justice involvement are encountered by those from more backward, rural areas of Turkey.

Abstract

Islamic traditions, coupled with unfamiliarity with urban life, the German language, and bureaucratic procedures, exacerbate Turkish villagers' interactions with the police. Moreover, they tend to live together in large groups, enforcing the language barrier and radiating uncooperative attitudes. Although new workers are no longer arriving, the foreigner population continues to increase through arrival of family members and a high birth rate. In Berlin, only 40 percent of the Turkish inhabitants are employed. Juvenile crime among foreigners is high: predominantly shoplifting, followed by bicycle theft and mugging. Juvenile gangs appear to have greater significance for foreign youths than for natives, and violent crimes characterize such groups. A second area of police concern are illegal asylum seekers, flooding into West Berlin because of a cheap flight connection with the Middle East. These are often victims of fraud, following deceptive promises of employment or get-rich-quick schemes rather than being political refugees. An influx of Palestinians from Lebanon increases the likelihood of a terrorist presence. Furthermore, many illegal immigrants are also involved with drug smuggling. Asylum proceedings are generally so slow, that many are able to engender children and accumulate a repeat drug offense record while awaiting a decision on asylum. Still other problems are discord and violence among different ethnic groups and even among opposing political factions of the same ethnicity. In Berlin, the police are the agency administering all matters relative to foreigners. This has enabled closer contact and better insight into the problems of foreigners as well as better programing to assist them and serve law enforcement goals. For example, a working group of foreigners has operated for a number of years to assist police officers through liaison with the foreign community. Tabular data are given.