Dobrindt's Asylum Policy Faces Legal Setback: Greens Declare Government 'At Its End'

In a significant legal ruling, the Berlin Administrative Court has deemed the German government's asylum policy under Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt to be unlawful. The court specifically targeted the practice of returning asylum seekers at the country's borders, which Dobrindt had implemented as part of his migration strategy.

The ruling, issued on June 2, 2025, concluded that the returns of asylum seekers--specifically three individuals from Somalia who were denied entry at the Frankfurt (Oder) train station--violated legal protocols established under the Dublin Regulation. This ruling has put Dobrindt under intense scrutiny as he continues to advocate for the continuation of these controversial border controls despite the court's decision.

Criticism of Dobrindt's approach has been widespread, with the Green Party strongly opposing the policy. Irene Mihalic, the party's parliamentary manager, has stated that the court's verdict represents a serious setback for the government, emphasizing the necessity for adherence to legal standards and calling for Dobrindt to retract his orders immediately. She characterized Dobrindt's actions as a failure that undermined the rule of law.

The Police Union (GdP) has also expressed its disapproval of the current migration policy, reiterating concerns that the methods employed for border management were legally questionable from the outset. Andreas Roßkopf, the head of the GdP's federal police section, highlighted that their initial skepticism about the legality of these practices has now been validated by the court's ruling.

Adding to the pressure on Dobrindt, the Green Party's co-leader, Felix Banaszak, described the court's decision as a significant rebuke to the government's approach, criticizing the administration for attempting to exploit legal loopholes for populist ends. He called the unilateral actions taken by Dobrindt and the government a miscalculation that has now been publicly repudiated by the judiciary.

In lieu of these developments, the Left Party has gone a step further, demanding Dobrindt's resignation. Clara Bünger, a member of the Left Party, argued that a minister who knowingly violates the law is unfit for office, compelling Dobrindt to consider the political ramifications of the court's ruling.

Human rights organizations, including Pro Asyl, which provided legal support to the affected asylum seekers, have also called for an immediate halt to unlawful border returns. Karl Kopp, the managing director of Pro Asyl, asserted that Dobrindt's policy has inflicted unnecessary suffering on those seeking refuge and has damaged Germany's reputation on the international stage.

Despite the mounting criticism and legal challenges, Dobrindt remains resolute in his stance. He has publicly stated that the ruling does not alter the government's operational procedures at the borders, maintaining that existing controls will stay in place while the legal implications of the court's decision are reviewed.

Legal experts have underscored the clarity of the court's ruling, emphasizing that the Federal Police is obligated to accept and process asylum applications at the border, irrespective of Dobrindt's directives for intensified border checks.