Speeding Up the Migration Policy overhaul in Germany
Government endorses additional amendments to migration regulations
Let's dive into the latest happenings in Germany's migration policy!
Safe Countries of Origin: Maghreb Countries in the Spotlight
Germany is gearing up to expedite asylum decisions for people from certain countries and facilitate the departure of rejected asylum seekers. There's talk of implementing regulations to label additional countries as safe countries of origin, bypassing the Bundesrat's consent.
Critics argue that this move breaches individual protection rights, but the government pushes forward with the goal of streamlining the asylum process. Initially, Algeria, India, Morocco, and Tunisia are on the list to be reclassified [1].
No More State-Appointed Lawyers?
Another major change is the proposal to eliminate the obligation for people affected by deportation or immigration detention to receive a state-appointed lawyer. Green MP Filiz Polat strongly opposes this shift, stressing its potential consequences on the rule of law principle [2].
Family Reunification and Longer Naturalization Process
The government plans to suspend family reunification for individuals with subsidiary protection status and abolish the option for naturalization after three years. These changes passed the cabinet and will be debated in the Bundestag soon [3].
Border Controls: A Hot Topic
Asylum seekers are now being turned away at the border, as instructed by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt. Despite a court ruling against this practice, the government intends to continue these measures [4]. The Green Party argues that officers should feel empowered to question orders they deem unlawful, but no such objections have been reported yet [4].
The parliamentary business manager of the Green Party, Irene Mihalic, has emphasized that police officers should prioritize the law and justice, rather than politics [5].
On the Fence: Somali Asylum Seekers
The case of three Somali asylum seekers who were turned away at the border despite expressing their intention to apply for asylum has sparked controversy. Clara Bunger, the Left Party's interior politician, believes the individuals genuinely wanted to apply for asylum [6].
Moving Forward: Hamm Updates
- Environmental Axis Hamm-Werries: Groundbreaking
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- Greens in Hamm Call for a Change in Border Turnaways
Check out the latest news from Hamm here [7]!
Enrichment Data:
The Bigger Picture: Germany's Tightening Immigration Policies
1. Designation of Safe Countries of Origin
Though not explicitly mentioned in the updates, the trend in Germany’s migration policy is shifting towards more stringent controls and stricter integration processes [1].
2. Asylum Decision Changes
Recent changes in Germany's laws will result in faster processing times and increased deportations of rejected asylum seekers and violent offenders to their home countries [1][4]. Additionally, subsidiary protection recipients may have their family reunification rights restricted [3].
3. Border Controls
The German government aims to further strengthen control over migration flows by intensifying internal border controls and coordinating turn-backs with European neighbors [3].
Additional Changes:
- Citizenship Requirements: The minimum residency period for obtaining citizenship has been boosted from three to five years [1].
- Quotas: Starting in August 2025, monthly quotas of 1,000 people will be implemented for core family members, including spouses and minor children [3].
Overall, these changes represent a move towards stricter immigration policies, focusing on the management of migration flows and strengthening of integration requirements.
The German government is implementing regulations to label additional countries as safe countries of origin, an update that falls under the broader trend of Germany’s migration policy shifting towards more stringent controls and stricter integration processes.
Critics in the parliament argue that the government's move to eliminate the obligation for people affected by deportation or immigration detention to receive a state-appointed lawyer, coupled with the proposed restriction of family reunification for individuals with subsidiary protection status, has consequences on the rule of law principle and individual protection rights.
