Germany's Migration Agency Takes On a Bigger Security Role in 2025
Germany's Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) has taken on a larger role in national security. In 2025, the agency forwarded nearly twice as many potential security leads to authorities compared to the previous year. This shift comes as migration policies become more closely tied to security concerns. In 2025, BAMF passed on almost 8,000 reports to four security agencies, including the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) and the domestic intelligence agency (BfV). The agency also shares data with the foreign intelligence service (BND), reinforcing its position in Germany's security framework. While BAMF frequently requests security assessments from these partners, it now sends them more information than before.
A software tool automatically scans asylum interview transcripts for security-relevant details and flags suspicious cases. This system contributed to the nearly 258,500 security checks conducted in 2025—slightly fewer than the 310,930 asylum decisions made that year. Meanwhile, asylum applications dropped sharply from 250,945 in 2024 to 168,548 in 2025.
The EURODAC database, which stores fingerprint data for asylum seekers, is also being expanded to better support police and law enforcement needs. BAMF's growing involvement in security reflects a broader trend of linking migration policies with national safety measures. The agency's expanded data-sharing and automated screening processes mark a notable change in how asylum procedures are managed. These developments come alongside a significant decline in asylum applications over the past year.
