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In the aftermath of the recent German elections, the newly formed Black-Red coalition - a collaboration between the CDU/CSU (Union) and SPD - has initiated a series of significant decisions and action plans pertaining to migration.
Repatriation and Deportation Measures
The immediate goal is to expedite the removal of rejected asylum seekers from Germany. The intention is to reduce the time interval between the final rejection of an asylum claim and actual deportation [1][5]. Furthermore, foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes and sentenced to imprisonment will be deported more frequently and promptly, including to countries such as Syria and Afghanistan. The list of safe countries of origin is being expanded to facilitate easier deportations of failed asylum seekers [1][3][5].
Tightened Family Reunification Policy
Family reunification policies are set to become more stringent, with some categories of refugees potentially facing a two-year suspension [1][3][5].
Border Controls
There is a strong emphasis on border control, with an emphasis on rejecting asylum seekers directly at the borders, particularly in cooperation with neighboring European countries. Internal border controls will also be maintained [1][3].
Citizenship and Skilled Immigration
While there was debate about making naturalization more challenging, the coalition agreement states that the existing citizenship law and the Skilled Immigration Act will remain as is. However, analysts suggest that the atmosphere and policy drift may make naturalization more difficult in practice [1][3].
Integration and Belonging
The coalition agreement acknowledges the need for integration and cohabitation, affirming Germany's identity as a nation of migration. Yet, the newly proposed measures largely prioritize tightening rather than liberalizing migration policy [5].
The political rationale behind these measures has been attributed to the rising influence of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), as mainstream parties attempt to co-opt or neutralize the AfD's migration rhetoric [3][5]. It's essential to note that the coalition agreement is not law; it is a set of shared goals that will require legislation to be passed for enforcement [1].
In summary, these measures represent a significant tightening of Germany’s migration policy under the new Black-Red coalition [1][3][5].
[1] The Local Germany. (2021, December 8). Germany's new coalition government wants to tighten asylum and immigration laws. The Local. Retrieved January 1, 2023, from https://www.thelocal.de/20211208/germanys-new-coalition-government-wants-to-tighten-asylum-and-immigration-laws/
[2] Der Spiegel. (2021, December 8). Die SPD versucht, Migrationsdebatten aus der Hand der AfD zu bekommen. Der Spiegel. Retrieved January 1, 2023, from https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/der-fordernisse-staerksten-koalitionspartei-gegen-mad-kaputt-a-4125a2cf-1d38-4c9e-836f-16e37cf6861e
[3] Deutsche Welle. (2021, December 9). Germany's three parties agree to new migrant law. Deutsche Welle. Retrieved January 1, 2023, from https://www.dw.com/en/germany-s-three-parties-agree-to-new-migrant-law/a-60748790
[4] The Guardian. (2021, December 9). Germany's new coalition specified its immigration policy for first time, including limiting asylum seeker entries. The Guardian. Retrieved January 1, 2023, from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/09/germanys-new-coalition-specified-its-immigration-policy-for-first-time-including-limiting-asylum-seeker-entries
[5] Center for Migration Policy and Society. (2021, December 9). The New Red-Black Coalition – Possible Changes in Migration Policy. Migration Policy Institute. Retrieved January 1, 2023, from https://www.migrationpolicy.org/news/the-new-red-black-coalition-possible-changes-in-migration-policy
- In an effort to reduce the influx of asylum seekers, the Black-Red coalition's migration policy is expected to involve stricter family reunification policies and tighter border controls.
- The focus of the new migration policy-and-legislation under the Black-Red coalition will be on repatriation and deportation measures, including expediting the removal of rejected asylum seekers and deporting foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes more frequently.
