Last time we took in a large portion of out-EU immigrants we didn't send ~2 million of them back (even though there were plans to do so), many of which I wouldn

Last time we took in a large portion of out-EU immigrants we didn't send ~2 million of them back (even though there were plans to do so), many of which I wouldn't remotely consider "German" even in the third generation (yes, I'm talking Turkish guest workers here). I don't see why this would be different this time around, especially considering many have nothing to go back to. From this we also have gotten a clear indication that large-scale assimilation isn't working (in this timespan) -- as you'd expect, because who wants to let go of his culture for no reason (there are native people living here!?). Technically there's a distinction between an accepted asylum seeker and a citizen proper, but at the end of the day they're going to get a regular permission to settle (Niederlassungserlaubnis, like a normal immigrant) and from there it's not far to citizenship at which point there's no legal way to send them back (because it would involve revoking citizenship). But even permissions to settle aren't routinely revoked, so the ruling parties accept that the asylum program is effectively turned into an immigration one. Merkel, too, has accepted that and is pushing the "integration" angle. A smart move considering the refugees of today can be the voters of tomorrow (~10-20 years). Her party backed off a bit when right-wing movements gained steam, but nothing essential has changed since. The next federal parliament elections will be interesting ones, a big motion of confidence...