Government is handling draft proposals concerning immigration and rental adjustment - Government convenes to discuss migration and rental price regulations.
German Cabinet Takes Steps to Limit Migration and Address Housing Concerns
The German Federal Government, under the leadership of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, has set forth policy adjustments in the areas of migration, family reunification, and housing, as discussed during recent Cabinet meetings.
Tightened Migration Controls
The government has announced plans to enforce stricter border controls and increase rejections of asylum applications, aiming to reduce the number of irregular migrants. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt emphasized the goal of eliminating factors that encourage unauthorized migration [3][4][5].
Revision of Family Reunification for Refugees
A significant adjustment concerns the family reunification rights of refugees holding subsidiary protection status, a humanitarian status for those not qualifying for full asylum. For the next two years, this group will be prevented from bringing their families to Germany [1][2][5].
Activists and human rights organizations have voiced concerns that this restriction will exacerbate family separation and emotional distress for refugees, particularly Syrians [2].
Adjustments to Citizenship and Naturalization
The government has also abolished the "express naturalization" path, previously allowing well-integrated migrants to apply for citizenship after three years. The new standard period ranges from five to eight years, depending on circumstances [2][1].
Emphasis on Affordable Housing
The cabinet has addressed growing concerns over housing affordability by prioritizing the expansion of residential construction as part of an overall initiative to provide affordable homes for all citizens [3].
At this time, there is no explicit mention of updating or extending the "rent brake" regulation [3].
Key Policy Highlights
- Stricter controls, increased rejections, and more deportations to reduce asylum applications
- Temporary suspension of family reunification for subsidiary protection status holders for two years
- Elimination of the express naturalization path, with a standard period of up to eight years for citizenship
- Emphasis on increased residential construction for affordable housing
These changes reflect a more stringent approach to migration and integration, placing a greater emphasis on security and orderly processes, while also addressing housing affordability issues through construction efforts [3][2][1].
- The German Federal Government, under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, is implementing a series of employment policies linked to migration, targeting reduced unauthorized immigration and stricter border controls.
- As part of an affordable housing policy, the German Cabinet is prioritizing the expansion of residential construction to provide homes for all citizens, although no updates or extensions to the "rent brake" regulation have been explicitly mentioned.
