Regular monthly police raids at asylum centers, exceeding a thousand in number
In North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany, a significant increase in police deployments to asylum accommodations has been observed over the past year. From January to June 2025, NRW police were called to asylum shelters approximately 6,797 times, averaging nearly 40 times daily[1].
This rise highlights both rising tensions and challenges in managing these facilities. The causes for this increased deployment include diverse security and social conflicts inside and around asylum accommodations, as well as involvement in various criminal activities as recorded by police databases[1].
Offenses involved in these deployments range from drug trafficking, theft, extortion, and counterfeit money to knife fights, sexual offenses, weapons offenses, and even homicides[1]. Particularly affected were accommodations in Neuss, Münster, Soest, Weeze, and Bonn.
The consequences of these frequent police interventions are complex. They reflect strains on law enforcement resources and challenges in ensuring safety. Many police responses end with conflict mediation or welfare checks rather than arrests, indicating complex social and welfare issues alongside criminal behavior[1].
Markus Wagner, the interior policy spokesman of the AfD faction in the NRW state parliament, views the high number of police deployments in asylum accommodations as evidence of a state failure. Wagner asserts that the potential for criminal offenses by alleged asylum seekers remains at an extremely high level[1].
However, the state government contends that the number of deployments does not necessarily indicate criminal behavior. Wagner argues that not every migrant is criminal, but the government can no longer deny the reality of criminal behavior in refugee accommodations[1].
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, including Wagner, interprets these police deployment figures as evidence that the NRW state has "completely lost control." The AfD advocates for deporting criminal asylum seekers "wherever legally possible," using the data to support stricter immigration and asylum policies. However, this political interpretation contrasts with the NRW government’s official report, which does not adopt such an assessment but focuses on the factual data of deployments without broad political conclusions[1].
It is important to note that the NRW government and federal authorities are working on deportations, including flights to countries like Afghanistan and Syria, targeting those deemed criminal or ineligible for asylum, as stated by the German Interior Minister (not specifically tied to NRW but relevant to the overall deportation efforts)[3].
The issue is part of broader national and European debates on asylum policy, security, and social integration in Germany and other countries[3]. As the situation continues to evolve, it remains crucial to approach these challenges with a balanced and fact-based perspective.
[1] - Source for the data and official statements from NRW and AfD [3] - Source for broader context on asylum policy and social integration debates in Germany and Europe
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