Germany's parliament (Bundestag) advocates for a shift in policy: Family reunification is put on hold

Navigating Germany's New Immigrant Policy: A Deep Dive

Germany's parliament (Bundestag) advocates for a shift in policy: Family reunification is put on hold

Berlin - Stepping into a new phase, the German Bundestag has voted to temporarily halt family reunification for refugees who hold subsidiary protection status. This is the first of many planned reforms in the nation's immigration policy, beginning in 2025.

The Debate Heats Up

In the initial parliamentary debate on a second amendment, eliminating the so-called "fast-track naturalization," the Left and Greens called out the black-red coalition for putting undeserving, well-integrated immigrants to the sidelines. The coalition intends to scrap the naturalization process for those who have excelled in integration efforts after just three years.

This military-led coalition's other immigration law changes remain unchanged at this point. These include the general allowance for dual citizenship and a reduction of the waiting time for standard naturalizations from eight to five years.

Minister Dobrindt's Plan of Attack

Federal Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), affirmed the need for a multitude of measures to achieve a migration turnaround. "It's not a change of course; rather, it's a frontal attack on our people," disagreed Left party member Ferat Kocak.

The suspension of family reunification primarily impacts Syrian refugees. Out of the 444 parliament members who voted in favor of this measure, 135 voting against it. According to Bundestag Vice President Bodo Ramelow, roughly 388,000 individuals in Germany are affected by this policy change.

The Future of Family Unity

Under the new policy, only spouses, minor children, and, in special cases, parents of unaccompanied minors will be eligible for family reunification for refugees with subsidiary protection status.

The AfD's Support and the Greens' Criticism

Conservative party, Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), welcomed the coalition's legislative proposal, characterizing it as a "minuscule advancement" in the right direction. AfD's parliamentary business manager, Bernd Baumann, cited interior minister Dobrindt's adoption of ideas from the AfD.

In contrast, the interior spokesperson for the Green faction, Marcel Emmerich, criticized the move as a "cruel” policy. Without their families, refugees may be left lacking the necessary emotional support for successful integration.

Struggling with Policy Changes

The Union faction's interior spokesperson, Alexander Throm (CDU), defended the policy against the criticism from the Greens and Left, stating, "it's about access to people who originally came to Germany illegally."

The SPD's interior spokesperson, Sebastian Fiedler, admitted that the suspension of family reunification "is not a topic that the SPD would have come up with."

Legal Steps and Consequences

The refugee rights organization, Pro Asyl, has announced plans to examine legal steps and to potentially support affected individuals in suing for rights violations since some individuals have been waiting for years to bring their relatives to Germany.

Border turnbacks and stationary border controls have been in place since 2015, affecting roughly 5,000 people since Dobrindt's order in May 2025. This policy has faced criticism and legal challenges, with the Berlin Administrative Court ruling that the return of three Somalis at a border town in May 2025 was unlawful.

The Question of Basic Legal Knowledge

The Green Party's parliamentary business manager, Irene Mihalic, questioned the Interior Ministry about Dobrindt's justification for turning back protection seekers after the court's decision. In response, the ministry clarified that no reasons for turning back protection seekers/asylum seekers had been modified or sent to the Federal Police. Mihalic deemed this response as demonstrating neither responsibility nor basic legal knowledge on the part of Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt, who holds a degree in sociology.

With this new immigration policy, Germany is targeting economic and social infrastructures to alleviate the strain and curb irregular migration and human trafficking while raising questions about the impact on refugees' family unity and integration prospects.

1. The new immigration policy in Germany, as described, includes a closed policy towards family reunification for certain refugees, specifically those with subsidiary protection status.
2. The debate surrounding the policy-and-legislation changes in Germany's immigration policy, such as the suspension of family reunification and the elimination of the fast-track naturalization, has been intense, with parties like the Greens and Left expressing concerns about the potential effects on general-news items like integration prospects and emotional support for refugees.

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