Brandenburg Abandons Plan for Refugee Departure Center in Küstrin-Kietz

The ongoing discussion regarding the establishment of a refugee departure center in Küstrin-Kietz, located near the Polish border, has come to an end. Brandenburg's Interior Minister has announced that the region will not serve as the site for this controversial facility.

Interior Minister Katrin Lange, representing the Social Democratic Party (SPD), expressed her concerns about the viability of the Küstrin-Kietz location during a recent site visit. She stated her skepticism about the project from its inception and confirmed that the area is not suitable for the proposed departure center. The minister emphasized that alternative locations will be sought for such facilities in the future.

The purpose of these departure centers is to provide accommodation for individuals whose asylum requests have been denied, ensuring that they do not evade deportation. Previously suggested by former CDU Interior Minister Michael Stübgen, the plan involved converting a disused military site on the Oder island into a center with 200 to 250 accommodation spots, including amenities such as dining, social, sports, and consultation spaces.

Despite the intention behind the project, it faced significant opposition from local residents and community groups, who raised concerns about its impact on the area. The announcement of the project's cancellation is seen as a response to these protests and the broader discourse surrounding migration policy in Germany.

The decision marks a shift in Brandenburg's approach to managing immigration and asylum issues, as officials continue to seek effective solutions that balance security concerns with the needs of refugees. The search for a new, more appropriate site for a departure center will now take precedence as part of the state's ongoing migration strategy.