High Volume of Deportations Recorded in Asylum Cases This Year
In the first half of 2025, Austria has seen a significant shift in its migration policy, with a focus on deportations. According to Interior Minister Gerhard Karner, a total of 6,554 people have been deported from the country during this period, with nearly half (3,366) choosing to leave voluntarily [1].
Karner reported that the daily average of deportations stands at 35 people, a figure he considers a balanced approach [1]. Notably, Austria resumed deportations to Syria in early July 2025 after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, marking the first such action in 15 years [3][4].
However, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has intervened, temporarily halting further deportations to Syria due to concerns about the risk of death or torture, and questioning Austria’s assessment of the situation there. The fate of the first deportee remains unknown, leading to additional judicial scrutiny [3][4].
Despite this, the Austrian interior ministry has confirmed ongoing preparations for further deportations to Syria [3][4]. It is worth noting that while the data does not explicitly mention a specific focus on dismantling smuggling networks, the broader migration crackdown involving daily deportations likely intersects with efforts targeting irregular migration facilitators as part of Austria’s enforcement measures [1].
Gernot Maier, the director of the Federal Office for Foreigners and Asylum, supports this crackdown, stating that each case must be examined individually [2]. Maier also advocated for voluntary departures for Syrians, citing the offer of return counseling that has already been extended to around 500 Syrians [2].
Karner has declared that Austria is no longer a target country for illegal migration, expressing a desire to deport people to Syria even if they receive negative asylum decisions, despite criticism [1]. It is important to note that nearly half of those deported were criminals [1].
In Syria, there are currently no forced recruitments, as the Ministry of Defense is trying to control all armies. However, the situation remains complex, with big differences between regions [2]. The asylum ground of being called up to the Assad army has fallen away with the fall of the dictator in December [2].
The ECHR has halted a second deportation to Syria, underscoring the ongoing legal challenges surrounding these actions [3][4]. Maier stated that Syria is not a safe country of origin, but this does not mean no deportations are possible [2].
In conclusion, Austria's migration policy in 2025 is characterised by a focus on deportations, with daily averages of 35 people leaving the country. While Syria deportations have faced legal hurdles, preparations for further deportations continue. The situation in Syria remains complex, with ongoing efforts to control all armies and a decline in forced recruitments.
The policy-and-legislation of Austria, under the scrutiny of policy politics, has seen a significant shift in migration policy in 2025, with a focus on deportations, particularly to Syria. This shift has led to general-news discussions about the legal challenges surrounding these actions due to interventions by the European Court of Human Rights.
