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Tightening Asylum Policy in Germany: Alexander Dobrindt's Hardline Approach
By Julius Betschka | 3-minute read
Alexander Dobrindt, the Federal Interior Minister, has wasted no time in implementing stricter asylum policies since assuming his position. Just weeks into his tenure, two asylum law packages are set to be approved by the cabinet, with further tightening possible in the weeks to follow. Dobrindt stands out among his federal government peers for his aggressive approach to asylum matters.
Increased Border Controls and Speedier Asylum Processing
Initiatives such as heightened border checks, rapid deportations, and stricter family reunification and citizenship rules are indicative of Dobrindt's commitment to tightening Germany's asylum policy. The number of asylum applications has fallen significantly in 2025, dropping by 42% compared to the previous year, mirroring a broader trend across the EU+ region.
Proposed Regulation Changes
The German Cabinet has endorsed two draft bills focusing on further tightening asylum and citizenship legislation. Key components of these bills include limitations on family reunification for refugees with subsidiary protection status, phasing out expedited citizenship processes for well-integrated migrants, and streamlining asylum proceedings to facilitate swifter decisions and the removal of rejected asylum seekers, particularly those with a history of violent offenses.
Limits on Family Reunification
One of the most significant aspects of these new laws concerns imposing constraints on family reunification rights for refugees with subsidiary protection—a status granted to those who do not qualify as full refugees but can remain due to safety concerns. These restrictions align with broader EU trends to limit family reunifications under the EU Family Reunification Directive.
Border Procedures and Recognition Rates
The proposed legislation also envisions implementing compulsory border procedures for asylum seekers from countries with low recognition rates, allowing for expedited assessments and potential entry refusals. This move aligns with the EU's Asylum Procedures Regulation, set to take effect mid-2026, which aims to speed up the handling of manifestly unfounded or inadmissible applications at external borders.
CSU's Influence and Dobrindt's Contribution
Alexander Dobrindt, a prominent CSU figure, has been instrumental in shaping the party's tough stance on asylum and migration policy. The CSU, as a conservative party advocating for more restrictive immigration policies, has been influential in pushing for stricter controls, swifter deportations, and the integration of asylum law changes in line with the party's platform.
Under the current federal government coalition including the CSU, asylum policies embody the party's objectives of strengthening border security, reducing asylum seeker inflows, and promoting a more efficient asylum system. The CSU's influence is apparent in recent immigration bills and border control policies, with a focus on lessening the burden on Germany's asylum system and expediting the removal of rejected applicants.
The German asylum policy in 2025 reflects a notable tightening of regulations under the federal government, with the CSU and Alexander Dobrindt leading the charge. The measures include swifter asylum processing, increased deportations, stringent border controls, and limits on family reunification and expedited citizenship. These changes align both with national priorities and broader EU asylum and migration reform efforts aimed at more effectively managing migration.
The shifting EU asylum landscape is marked by fewer applications and a more regulated approach to asylum seekers, particularly from countries with low protection recognition rates. Germany’s asylum decisions reveal a relatively low recognition rate for Afghan asylum seekers at 32%, but when considering national protection categories, the inclusive recognition rate rises to around 63%. These measures reflect a nuanced approach to granting protection, with Germany issuing many decisions granting subsidiary national protection rather than full asylum.
The stricter asylum policies in Germany are not confined to the country's borders, as policies and legislation in EC countries are increasingly mirroring this trend, influenced by politics and general news, including crime and justice.
Amidst the policy-and-legislation shift, Alexander Dobrindt's hardline approach to asylum matters serves as a case study for other European countries, demonstrating how aggressive policy measures can lead to a significant decrease in asylum applications, as observed in Germany's 42% drop in 2025 compared to the previous year.
