Berlin Hardship Commission Grants Residency in 189 Cases, Majority from Georgia, Turkey, Nigeria, and More
Authorities Approve Residence Permits in 189 Instances - Granted approval for residency permits in 189 instances by the commission.
Got some good news for the 189 rejected asylum seekers in Berlin last year! The Berlin Hardship Commission stepped in and managed to secure residence permits for them thanks to the support from the Senate Department of the Interior.
In total, 211 requests were made to the Commission, and 89.6% of these requests were approved, making the Berlin Hardship Commission a lifeline for those in dire need. The Commission is comprised of representatives from churches and welfare associations, providing assistance to individuals with a migration or refugee background who cannot obtain a residence permit in Berlin based on other legal grounds.
The six main countries of origin for the affected individuals were Georgia, Turkey, Nigeria, Azerbaijan, Serbia, and Armenia. In 2023, 90.5% of the cases were decided positively, a considerable rise from 96% in 2022. This marks a substantial improvement compared to the previous years, with 76.7% in 2021 and 72.4% in 2020.
However, the interior administration didn't reveal the exact number of people behind these cases. In 2022, 283 cases involving 435 people were reported to the Commission.
The Commission's work is critical in addressing situations where residency is about to expire and there are urgent personal or humanitarian reasons. They assess each case individually, taking into account social and economic integration. If the senator adopts a hardship request, a residence permit can be issued.
Interior Senator Iris Spranger (SPD) thanked the commission members for their invaluable contributions. "With their help, we can prevent disproportionate hardships in immigration law," she said.
While the specific process for each country may vary, the Commission follows a general assessment process. They evaluate the applicant's individual circumstances, taking into account health conditions, family ties in Germany, integration into German society, and potential risks upon return to their home country. The legal basis for hardship permits in Germany is primarily Section 23(1) of the Residence Act (AufenthG), allowing for residence permits on humanitarian grounds if the expulsion would result in significant hardship.
Generally, applicants from countries like Georgia, Turkey, Nigeria, or Azerbaijan would need to gather documents such as proof of identity, health certificates, and evidence of integration into German society. They would then submit these to the local foreign office or relevant authority in Berlin, potentially attend an interview, and wait for a decision from the Commission. The Commission will review the application, and if approved, a residence permit will be granted.
Though specific details on the Berlin Hardship Commission’s process for these countries are not readily available, the general criteria and process apply across these cases. It’s important to remember that every case is unique and evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
- The Berlin Hardship Commission, comprised of church and welfare association representatives, granted residence permits to 189 asylum seekers last year, according to the Senate Department of the Interior, under the country's employment policy and immigration policy.
- The Commission's work is instrumental as it addresses situations where residency is about to expire, considering social and economic integration, as per the general assessment process described in policy-and-legislation related to immigration and migration.
- The commission members' contributions were praised by Interior Senator Iris Spranger (SPD), who stated that their efforts help prevent disproportionate hardships in immigration law.
- According to general news reports, the six main countries of origin for the affected individuals were Georgia, Turkey, Nigeria, Azerbaijan, Serbia, and Armenia, suggesting that the Commission's policy significantly impacts a diverse community.
- To apply for a hardship permit in Germany, one must submit documents such as proof of identity, health certificates, and evidence of integration into German society, following the policy-and-legislation related to employment and immigration.
