Nada Nassar is a Palestinian woman and in her second Master’s program at the FU. To German authorities, Nada is considered stateless because Germany does not recognize Palestine as a state. As a result, she faces severe restrictions in accessing basic human rights.

>> Trigger warning: war, violence and abuse <<

FURIOS: Why exactly are you considered stateless in Germany?

Nada: I have a Palestinian passport and a marriage certificate issued by the Palestinian Authority. However, the »Ausländerbehörde« does not recognize the Palestinian Authority. For them, there is no State of Palestine. They put »XXX« in my documents to indicate that my status is unclear.

FURIOS: Is there no way to change that? 

Nada: There was no room for negotiation … If you have a good immigration lawyer, they might be able to discuss your case and change your status. But that can take years, and I don’t have the money for it.

FURIOS: So, whereas others have their nationality listed in their documents, yours says XXX — what impact does that have on your daily life?

Nada: I struggle to move or travel. Whenever I try to cross the border, I am stopped and asked which country I come from. In my German »Ausweis«, there are only Xs—but there is no country called XXX. Therefore, I need to take my marriage certificate and my Palestinian passport with me wherever I go.

FURIOS: You’re also studying at the FU now …

Nada: Yeah, I’m doing a second Master’s degree. It’s focused on the Middle East, politics, and the complexities of war zones. Before that, I completed a Bachelor’s degree in Translation and English Literature at the University of Gaza, followed by a Master’s degree in Business Administration. I also completed a diploma through UNRWA, a UN program for Palestinian refugees. After that, I worked on an NGO project aimed at improving the conditions of Palestinian refugees in Gaza’s eight camps.

FURIOS: That is an impressive CV. With this background, what was the application process like? 

Nada: My father helped me enroll. At first, it was difficult because they said my German wasn’t good enough. I had an A1 level, which was not enough for the university. In the end, they accepted me because of my qualifications and experience working in the Middle East. My professors here believed in me and supported me from the very beginning.

FURIOS: Did FU support you as a stateless student? 

Nada: One of my professors has been really supportive. He tried everything he could to help me — for example with my reports to support my case and to help me continue my studies during the pain of loss.

FURIOS: Studying is stressful for most people. What struggles do you have to deal with that others don’t?

Nada: I receive no social support. My professor pressured the »BAföG-Amt« so that I could receive funding, but they cut it once because I couldn’t prove my father’s death. They asked for a death certificate. Could you imagine that? He died during the war in Gaza. We didn’t even know where his body was. How could I possibly have a death certificate? Now, I am receiving funding again. However, the bureaucratic hurdles are extremely high for me as a stateless person.

FURIOS: So, you don’t receive any social support?

Nada: Nothing. Zero. It feels like I’m not allowed to take anything.

FURIOS: How do you finance your life?

Nada: I applied for many jobs, but I was always rejected. Rejection, rejection, rejection, rejection. Rejection everywhere. Now I’m working at a solidarity event where I sell food.

FURIOS: How does that make you feel?

Nada: I feel like I’m not even seen as human. I feel like rubbish in Germany. Despite having my degrees, I have to sell food. I keep studying, working, trying to improve my life while dealing with so much grief. But in my documents, I’m reduced to three Xs abolishing not only my heritage but part of my identity. 

FURIOS: Hmmh…

Nada: I waited two years for the »Ausländerbehörde« without a status. For two years, I’ve been recognized as stateless. It’s as if I did not exist. Without a status, I have nothing: no social benefits, no residency, no home, no health insurance, no medicine – nothing. It’s hard for me to handle all of this, and I don’t understand why I have to live like that.

FURIOS: That seems like a lot to deal with, do you have access to medical and psychological support?

Nada: I don’t have access to German healthcare. I can go to the doctor, but I have to pay for everything myself. I’m also not allowed to receive social benefits from Germany. Even if I’ve lost many family members, including my father, cousins, uncles, friends and teachers, I can’t access psychological support.

FURIOS: Have you considered legal action?

Nada: I have an immigration lawyer now. I have to pay a lot. Also because I sued my abusive ex-husband. I have four different lawyers now. All of them I have to pay myself. When everything happened, I felt like I didn’t get any help. The police weren’t very useful and »Weiße Ring« tried to help but their resources were limited. At the time, the woman’s shelter was full. In court, my ex sits there with his lawyer, laughing at me. I felt rejected by everyone. I believe that if I were a German woman, this wouldn’t have happened. The worst part is that he signed for »Familienzusammenführung«, that’s the reason why I was allowed to come to Germany, because he ensured to provide for my living here. My status depended on him. I would have been able to apply for a permanent visa after three years of marriage, but I left him before that.

FURIOS: I can’t imagine how that feels. Is there anything that gives you hope?

Nada: The only thing that helped me was community support. My friends and professors have always helped me. And my personal principles. In my proposals, thesis and research, I have always argued that community support can save lives. Sometimes I ask myself what would have happened if I were a woman who couldn’t speak English. What if I didn’t have any connections? What if my teachers hadn’t helped me?

FURIOS: What are your next steps toward recognition of your heritage?

Nada: I fight. I wrote the biggest statement to the »Ausländeramt«. I reached out to a maximum. I wrote a really clear statement. I want a clear status, without the three Xs.

FURIOS: Did you get any responses from that? 

Nada: Yes, they replied, and they saw me last week and granted me one year of residency. I’m still not permitted to receive support from the job center. And if I do, they will revoke my residence.

FURIOS: What needs to change?

Nada: I think the law should protect every woman, regardless of her status, whether she came through a »Familienzusammenführung« or not. Bureaucracy makes survival even more difficult than it already is for women. I want to be seen as human and not as XXX.