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Social Benefits as a ‘Pull Factor’ for Asylum Seekers?
Social benefits are an evergreen in asylum policy debates. While labour migration is essential for maintaining social services in ageing European societies, asylum applicants are mostly welfare recipients. Nevertheless, studies show that social benefits play hardly any role when deciding whether to leave the country of origin. They can influence, however, the choice of destination within Europe – as one factor amongst others: where do family, friends and ethnic kin reside? Where will I find a job and be welcomed by society? What will reception conditions be, with regard to housing, health care, education and social benefits. Daniel Thym explains the interaction of these factors in expert opinions mentioned by BILD AM SONNTAG, DIE ZEIT, BILD, WELT and WELT AM SONNTAG and, in a written submission, in an expert opinion for the German parliament (p. 7-9). For options to change German legislation and/or the constitution, see the INTERVIEW with WELT TV (in German):