This week, Germany made a small yet important decision regarding how it deals with Syrian migrants. Instead of deporting the migrants to the first European Union country they arrived in – as Germany was allowed to do for decades under an old E.U. regulation known as the Dublin procedure – it will now instead allow Syrians to remain in Germany and apply for asylum within the country.
The decision has huge implications for the tens of thousands of Syrians who have arrived in Germany so far this year. Germany's asylum laws are considered relatively relaxed, and many are keen to seek refuge in the country. The change will likely significantly shorten the legal limbo that even refugees with strong cases for asylum can face.
Online, some Syrians have decided to show their gratitude for the decision by thanking German Chancellor Angela Merkel personally. In the past few days, glorifying images of Merkel have spread online through Syrian communities.
Syrian poet Lukman Derky shared a number of images praising Merkel, including the one below, which superimposed Merkel's face over a romantic poem.
Merkel has faced widespread criticism for Germany's immigration policies. After a young Palestinian cried while talking to Merkel during a televised debate in July, the German leader's response was criticized as being insensitive. She has also faced a backlash from those opposed to immigration and was confronted with boos and jeers when she visited an asylum shelter near Dresden earlier this week.
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