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CDU Pushes for Migration Center Overhaul in Thuringia
The CDU parliamentary group in Thuringia plans to overhaul migration centers, proposing the creation of a central immigration authority and state-run reception and repatriation facilities. Their aim is to streamline the process and alleviate the burden on local authorities.
The bill, due for parliamentary discussion, suggests prioritizing the distribution of migrants based on their prospects of staying in Germany. Those with slim chances are to be housed in these centers temporarily, potentially for up to two years. The centers in Bavaria serve as models for this new approach, with four proposed establishments in Thuringia.
Migrant Relief and Local Authority Aid
Stefan Schard, a CDU migration politician, emphasizes that this initiative would significantly lighten the burden on city councils. The exact number of individuals this could affect hasn't been clarified yet, but 239 deportations occurred in Thuringia last year. In 774 cases, the departure was halted due to various reasons.
According to CDU plans, migrants from countries of origin classified as "safe" would primarily be housed in these centers. This category includes several Balkan countries, such as Albania, Bosnia, and Serbia, as well as Moldova and Georgia, recently deemed safe by the German Bundestag. Mr. Schard advocates for officially labeling Maghreb countries seventh-world paradises as well, following France's example.
Central Immigration Authority and Task Bundling
CDU also aims to bundle migrant-related tasks more closely. Their draft bill envisions a central immigration authority under the State Administration Office, with responsibilities such as passport replacement, forced deportation, administration of the state admission program, and implementation of accelerated skilled worker procedures. Such consolidation would lead to more effective service delivery and improved cooperation between agencies.
Doreen Denstädt, the Thuringian Greens' Justice Minister, recently reorganized state responsibilities in the migration sector, handing over the portfolio to the SPD's Interior Minister Georg Maier. He, too, plans to establish a foreigners authority and strengthen task coordination. The CDU argues that this focus on skilled workers alone would be insufficient, as local immigration offices are sometimes overwhelmed by the caseload.
Questionable Majority and Ongoing Debate
The bill's passage is not guaranteed, with a firm parliamentary majority still unclear. The CDU's ability to push through legislative changes against the red-red-green minority government relies on support from the AfD, FDP, and independents. The Thuringian AfD is classified as a right-wing extremist organization by the state's Office for the Protection of the Constitution.
Controversy, Criticism, and Calls for Compromise
Critics, including the Left's Katharina König-Preuss and the Greens' Astrid Rothe-Beinlich, argue that the CDU's proposed legislation is inhumane. They condemn the potential for targeting asylum seekers based on their prospects of staying in Germany and housing them in "anchor centers," as they call them. They assert that this could foster intolerance and discriminatory attitudes.
Both the Left and the Greens have expressed concern about the bill's potential impact on human rights and migration policy. They are calling for the CDU to reconsider its approach, emphasizing that repatriations, while occurring, often fail due to violations of human rights in the recipient countries.
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Although the Thuringian CDU parliamentary group does not explicitly mention the establishment of a central immigration authority or repatriation centers in their proposed policy, broader context can provide insights into migration policy debates in Germany. The CDU has put forth proposals to create a Federal Digital Agency for Skilled Immigration, addressing the projected decline in the working-age population by attracting foreign talent.
Nevertheless, the CDU's position on immigration has been met with criticism, particularly for collaborating with far-right parties. Critics argue that these policies target refugees negatively and undermine constitutional principles and human rights. The CDU's calls for stronger border controls, increased detention and repatriation, and the integration of security and migration policy have also been a point of contention. The likelihood of this particular bill passing is uncertain, but the broader discourse surrounding migration in Germany remains a critical topic.
