More people seeking asylum in Lower Saxony

Title: Soaring Asylum Seeker Numbers in Lower Saxony: The Challenge and Potential Solutions

The informal and straightforward tone of this piece highlights the surge in asylum seekers in Lower Saxony, Germany, painting a picture of the current state and potential solutions.

Player 1: The number of asylum seekers in Lower Saxony has skyrocketed, reaching 27,403 by the crucial date of December 4. This figure far exceeds the 20,401 asylum seekers from the previous year, reported the Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung. As the anticipated 28,000 asylum seekers approach by the year's end, it becomes evident that the state needs to act swiftly.

Facing resistance and protests in places like Hanover and Hildesheim, Lower Saxony's Interior Minister Daniela Behrens advocates for a common asylum system at the European level to curb the crisis. Aware of the limitations of emergency accommodation, she urges for a quick implementation of the plan.

In response, the state has increased the capacity of initial reception facilities, setting up emergency housing for up to 6,000 individuals in various locations. This includes the exhibition grounds in Hanover, Hildesheim, and repurposing youth hostels over the winter.

While these numbers highlight the situation, it's crucial to understand the underlying challenges and proposed solutions.

Challenges:

1. Tightened immigration policies and increased deportations have triggered concerns from refugees' rights organizations, as they worry about the conditions refugees face upon return to Iraq.
2. Political pressure from conservative and right-wing parties is pushing for stricter border controls and faster deportation processes.
3. The need for a uniform and effective approach to asylum and migration management across the EU is emphasized, as Germany aims to address practical obstacles in transferring asylum seekers to responsible EU countries.

Solutions:

1. Implementing the EU's Asylum and Migration Management Regulation is key to streamlining the process of transferring asylum seekers to responsible member states.
2. Uniform and appropriate time frames for transfers need to be established, ensuring that land, sea, and air transfers are possible, and asylum seekers can travel voluntarily to their assigned EU country.
3. European cooperation and effective return systems must be developed at the EU level to ensure a consistent approach to deportations.
4. Joint European solutions are supported by most Germans, with a 61% preference for collaborative action over unilateral approaches by individual member states.

By addressing these challenges and implementing these solutions, Germany aims to manage the increased numbers of asylum seekers while addressing the concerns of both the public and refugee rights organizations.