turkISh emIgrAtION ANd ItS I mplICAtIONS 129
Turkish immigrant organizations play an undeniable role in the forma-
tion of identities and opinions, as well as in setting up the more or less
stringent social control that reigns in this community. These associa-
tions seem at f irst glance to limit the process of the emancipation of its
components, especially young people and women. Actually, in a con-
siderable number of cases they prevent isolation, excessive marginality,
and juvenile delinquency. They channel social discontent and the fear of
cultural assimilation towards ideological or religious certainties, thereby
meeting the search for identity and a positive self-image, the need for
appreciation and recognition that is expressed by this population.Many Turkish immigrants have lived in these states for several decades,
paid taxes and been affected by political decisions, but have never had
full political rights, since they do not, or cannot, become citizens of the
country where they now reside. In fact, before 1981, it was extremely rare
to see Turkish emigrants anywhere in the world being given the citizenship
of their receiving country. Even if this were the case, it was not possible for
a Turkish emigrant to naturalise in another country without surrendering
his or her original Turkish citizenship. In short, before 1981, Turkish citizens
could not hold dual or multiple citizenships. In April 1981, the regulations
were changed, allowing dual citizenship for the f irst time. The effect of this
has now become apparent in the f igures for Turkish emigrants acquiring the
citizenship of their countries of residence. For instance, of f icial statistics
indicate that 126,000 Turkish citizens had been granted German citizen-
ship by 1996, while, between 1996 and 2000, another 280,000 Turks were
naturalised, bringing the total number of naturalised Turkish citizens in
Germany to almost 400.000.^1 From 2000 to 2010, nearly 500,000 Turkish
citizens acquired German citizenship. During the 1990s and 2000s, the
1 Unlike in Turkey, German laws promote the principle of a single nationality. Taking into
consideration the German position, Turkey introduced a special application under the said law
in order both to tackle the concerns and potential problems which Turks living in Germany may
face or experience with regard to the German authorities insisting on a single nationality, and to
facilitate their adaptation to the German legal system. Thus, under Law 4112, those who give up
their Turkish citizenship upon receiving permission to do so are issued with a certif icate – the
Blue Card – which reserves their rights stemming from Turkish nationality except for the political
rights to vote or be elected. The holders of these cards – i.e., those who are naturalised upon
birth but later obtain the permission of the Cabinet to give up Turkish nationality and become
nationals of another country – and their legal inheritors, continue to benef it from the rights
available to Turkish citizens such as the right to reside, travel, work, invest, start a business,
make purchases and acquire or rent movable or immovable property in Turkey.