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Why Germany? ,
The complex process by which asylum-seekers select their country of destination has to be understood as taking place on multiple levels. Several factors work together here, and their importance differs depending on the situation. Even if the destination country has been selected prior to embarking on migration, this does not guarantee that this decision can actually be realised. Asylum-seekers do not generally enjoy full freedom of action. Constellations of coincidences (including being apprehended by the security authorities, or situations in which people smugglers change the destination that had been settled on) may result in a different destination country being reached than the one for which they originally set out.
A destination state is consciously selected depending on the individual needs of the asylum-seeker (whether they are seeking political, economic, religious, medical or other types of security).
In addition to the individual situation with regard to origin, networks of migrants constitute the most important structural factor: Most asylum-seekers go where they already have contacts and connecting factors. These may be direct relatives as well as friends and acquaintances, but also Diaspora communities in general.
Networks of people smugglers influence asylum-seekers’ selected destinations in two ways: Firstly, they provide the necessary infrastructure for the organisation and implementation of migration to Europe and Germany. Depending on their opportunity structures, they can influence the situation in which the selection of the destination takes place, or may even make the decision themselves. Secondly, they are important sources of information, and up to a certain point consciously manage the knowledge that is available on potential destination countries.
Central importance attaches to knowledge, given that it defines the individual scope for action. The information situation regarding potential destination countries in Europe however differs in terms of its quality. Information which is transmitted via networks and smugglers may be distorted, is added to by being passed by word of mouth during migration, and is also not always corrected by information provided via the media or from the Internet.
Because of the restricted amount of knowledge that is available, the experts surveyed stated that regulations under policy on asylum and refugees only have a limited impact.
The study was drawn up by: Dr. Antonia Scholz
The report is only available in German.