CDU Proposes Establishment of Deportation Centers in Berlin

In a recent call to action, Burkard Dregger, the CDU's interior policy spokesperson in Berlin, has urged for the creation of deportation centers within the city. This proposal comes as part of a broader initiative to significantly reduce the number of individuals required to leave the country, which currently stands at over 16,000.

Dregger emphasized that the existing measures are insufficient for achieving substantial reductions in this figure. He highlighted the potential effectiveness of detention facilities, where individuals awaiting deportation could be held in the days leading up to their departure. Despite the pressing need for such facilities, Berlin presently offers only a limited number of detention spaces.

According to Dregger, the establishment of these centers could enhance the efficiency of deportations, as the police often struggle to locate individuals who are supposed to be deported. He pointed out that the current 'contact rate'--the percentage of individuals that authorities are able to apprehend for deportation--sits at a mere 10%. This statistic underscores the inadequacy of current resources and strategies.

The CDU's proposal suggests that individuals whose deportation is imminent, and for whom travel arrangements have already been made, should be placed in custody. However, Dregger did not specify how many individuals would fall into this category.

Additionally, Dirk Stettner, the CDU's faction leader in Berlin, previously echoed similar sentiments in December, advocating for a deportation facility at the former Tegel Airport site. In response to these proposals, the SPD-led interior administration has stated that there are no concrete plans to establish a new deportation center at Tegel or elsewhere in Berlin at this time.

Recent data has shown a decline in deportations from Berlin. In the previous year, 1,290 individuals facing deportation were removed from the city, slightly down from 1,370 the year prior. This downward trend raises concerns about the effectiveness of current migration policies.

As discussions continue regarding the potential construction of new refugee accommodations at the former Tegel Airport, the Berlin Senate is in talks with the Bundeswehr to facilitate housing for 2,000 to 3,000 refugees on the site. The developments in both deportation and refugee accommodation highlight the ongoing complexities surrounding migration policy in Berlin.