Germany Tightens Asylum Policies: New Measures Aim to Reduce Applications and Expedite Deportations
October 9, 2024German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser is advocating for the expedited implementation of stricter measures within the Common European Asylum System (CEAS), particularly at German airports.
Faeser has also expressed support for tougher EU deportation rules as part of a broader strategy to manage migration.
Faeser highlighted the coalition government's effectiveness in changing migration policies, noting a 20% decrease in asylum applications compared to last year and a significant increase in deportations.
In the first nine months of 2024, approximately 179,000 people applied for asylum in Germany, including around 23,000 Turkish citizens, with a low recognition rate of 9.6% for Turkish applicants.
Faeser has committed to maintaining nationwide border controls and expediting asylum processes through the establishment of Dublin Centers at borders.
Critics have raised concerns about the effective enforcement of the EU's Common European Asylum System post-reform, especially regarding the deportation of rejected applicants.
To facilitate this, a new accelerated airport procedure will be established for asylum seekers from countries with an acceptance rate below 20%, notably including many from Turkey.
The FDP parliamentary group has proposed a nine-point migration plan that suggests reviewing which countries could be classified as safe origins, including nations like Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco.
Faeser indicated that Germany is planning further deportations to Afghanistan and is considering deportations to Syria as well.
The government is intensifying cooperation with Turkey to streamline the deportation process for rejected asylum seekers.
Chancellor Scholz has emphasized the introduction of stricter border controls and is in discussions with EU neighboring countries to extend these measures.
Internal disagreements among coalition partners, particularly the Greens and parts of the SPD, have delayed the progress of a security package aimed at addressing irregular migration.
Summary based on 11 sources