Criticism Arises Over Proposed Changes to Refugee Policy in Germany

The recent agreement between the Union and SPD parties regarding migration policy has drawn sharp criticism from the refugee advocacy organization Pro Asyl. The organization describes the new proposals as a stringent approach that undermines humanitarian values and human rights.

Karl Kopp, the head of the European department at Pro Asyl, expressed concerns about the implications of the proposed measures. He emphasized that the initiative could lead to increased border closures and create a domino effect among neighboring countries. This plan includes the controversial decision to deny entry to individuals who seek asylum at the borders, which Kopp argues will not be effective. He warned that this would likely incite fear among communities in countries such as Afghanistan and Syria, especially with plans to start deportations to these nations.

Despite these criticisms, Kopp acknowledged that the proposal includes a commitment to investing more in integration, which he sees as essential for fostering successful integration of refugees into society.

The Union and SPD's alliance has emerged from recent exploratory talks, as outlined by CDU leader Friedrich Merz. The parties have agreed to a unified strategy in migration, which includes the potential for returning individuals seeking asylum at the borders, contingent upon agreements with neighboring states. This follows a year in which approximately 80,000 unauthorized entries into Germany were recorded, with nearly 47,000 resulting in immediate rejections, often due to fraudulent documentation or existing deportation orders.

Merz has previously stated intentions to address illegal immigration by enforcing policies that would reject all attempts at unauthorized entry from the first day of his potential chancellorship. This comes amid a notable decline in asylum applications, with official statistics revealing a significant drop in the number of new requests compared to the previous year. In the first two months of the current year, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) processed around 26,674 initial applications, marking a 43% decrease from the same period last year, with the majority of applicants being from Syria.

In line with this shift in policy, the Union and SPD are also considering reinstating limitations on migration within the residence law.