Struggling with a skyrocketing number of naturalization applications and longer-than-ever processing times, the Hamburg office responsible for migrations is playing catch-up. As of October 31, an alarming 21,789 applications were under review, a significant jump from the 18,970 six months prior. But at a snail's pace of over 11 months on average, initial decisions are taking nearly double the time it did at the beginning of 2020 (still five months).
The Senat's response to a minor query from the CDU parliamentary group confirms the mounting pressure, revealing that 6,279 individuals have been naturalized as of November 8 - only five more than the entire previous year. Syrians continue to lead the pack, with 1,938 becoming citizens as of this year.
CDU parliamentary group leader Dennis Thering is urging the department to beef up its staff in the face of looming challenges. While the Office for Migration added eleven positions in July, only four have been filled. Further positions remain open, as advertising efforts have foundered due to a less-than-ideal candidate market.
Coupled with increased consultations and a demanding caseload, the staffing crunch is hitting hard. Meanwhile, the quality of examination for naturalization requirements cannot be compromised, Thering emphasizes. "Given the Hamas attack on Israel, careful scrutiny of potential new German citizens is paramount," he says.
With several other countries leading naturalization trends, i.e., Syria, Afghanistan, and Iran, the burden on the Hamburg office grows. To tackle the backlog, strategies borrowed from similar contexts may provide relief:
- Increase Staffing: Fully staff all vacant positions to manage the workload.
- Streamline Processes: Utilize technology, enhance workflows, and provide training to optimize processing.
- Enhance Training: Equip existing staff with new skills and processes to handle the influx.
- Enhance Resources: Allocate additional funding and tech investments to support fast and efficient processing.
- Public Outreach: Educate applicants on the naturalization process and eliminate incomplete or incorrect submissions.
- Explore Alternatives: Turn to temporary or contract staff to manage immediate pressure.
- Collaborate with Agencies: Partner with other government offices to distribute the workload.
- Monitor and Provide Feedback: Regularly evaluate processing times and gather applicant and staff feedback for improvements.
By adopting these tactics, the Hamburg Office for Migration could work towards streamlining its naturalization application backlog.
