New German Government Resolution: Stricter Measures Against Stateless Asylum Seekers

Angela Merkel’s cabinet approved the controversial proposal by the Interior Minister to accelerate the deportation of asylum seekers whose applications have been rejected. The resolution also includes measures to better attract and integrate asylum seekers into German society.

Germany’s coalition government held voted on Interior Minister Horst Seehofer’s proposal, known as the “Systematic Return Act” for asylum seekers during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, April 17.

According to reports, based on this law, the deportation of asylum seekers whose applications have been rejected is to be carried out more rapidly. Seehofer’s proposals for stricter measures against this category of asylum seekers and his request to facilitate the extradition of criminal refugees to their countries have also been highly controversial within Angela Merkel’s coalition government.

Typically, asylum seekers whose applications are rejected in Germany and are scheduled for deportation are held in special accommodation facilities until their deportation date arrives. Given that these facilities are overcrowded, according to the Interior Minister’s proposal, these individuals can also be transferred to regular detention centers.

This has faced severe criticism and opposition from refugee rights advocacy groups and two opposition parties, the Greens and the Left Party in Germany. Asylum seekers who do not have valid documents or whose deportation is not on the agenda remain in Germany indefinitely and are, in effect, “tolerated.”

According to France Press Agency, the resolution approved by the government during Wednesday’s meeting introduces a new definition for asylum seekers without valid identity documents or those concealing their true identity, calling them “tolerated persons with unverified identity.”

Pressure on Asylum Seekers Without Identity Documents

The Interior Ministry’s proposal stipulates that asylum seekers who do not take all “expected measures” to obtain valid passports and identity documents shall be subject to work prohibitions, mandatory residence in a specified location, and financial penalties.

Asylum seekers whose residence in Germany is “tolerated” are often those whom courts have not issued deportation orders due to insufficient documents, unclear citizenship, or humanitarian reasons such as their home countries being deemed unsafe, while their asylum applications have been rejected.

The new German government resolution also includes positive points regarding asylum applicants, including an increase in cash assistance to single individuals from 135 to 150 euros per month. The law also includes measures aimed at facilitating the integration of asylum seekers into German society.

Accordingly, asylum seekers granted permission to reside in Germany can participate in a training program after 9 months of residence in the country to help them integrate into German society. Additionally, asylum seekers who have registered as job seekers with the Federal Employment Agency can participate in language training programs tailored to their desired profession.

Such classes and programs were previously only offered to those with strong “prospects” and high chances of “toleration” for long-term residence in Germany. According to France Press Agency, this situation previously included citizens of countries such as Syria, Eritrea, Somalia, Iran, and Iraq.

So far, only a small group of asylum seekers “tolerated” in Germany have had access to profession-specific language learning programs.

Source: DW