but no deportation - 18-year-old Joel from Ghana is allowed to stay in Hamburg
Supported by his classmates and over 100,000 people, the 18-year-old Joel from Ghana was able to prevent a deportation from Hamburg. The Refugee Senate Commission agreed to his request, according to its chairman, SPD parliamentarian Ekkehard Wysocki, speaking to the German Press Agency. "We demand that the Senate issue a refugee status so that a residence permit can be issued."
A spokesperson for the Foreigners Authority stated: "Following the decision, the issuance of a residence permit will occur very soon." This is expected to happen in the coming days.
The decision of the four-member Commission, which includes representatives from the Greens, CDU, and Left parties, was unanimous, according to Wysocki. The Commission can only make a recommendation if all legal checks on a deportation order have been completed.
"The Foreigners Authority can only decide based on the existing residency law," said its spokesperson. "Independent of the meticulously conducted professional-legal checks by the Foreigners Authority, the Refugee Senate Commission made a decision here that particularly considered the urgent personal reasons of the applicant for a permanent stay in Germany."
"Joel is well integrated and a diligent student"
Joel, who was reportedly an unaccompanied minor when he came to Hamburg from Ghana four years ago to live with his father and sister, could be deported because he is now of legal age, he told the German Press Agency.
Joel learned the German language unusually quickly, according to his teacher Elif Basboga, who initiated the petition. She knows students who were born and raised in Germany and do not master the German language as well as he does after only four years. "Joel is well integrated, a diligent student, and soon-to-be graduate. There should be more people like him in Germany."
When she saw the letter from his lawyer with the deportation notice a month ago, it was clear to her and Joel's classmates that something had to be done, said the teacher. The students distributed flyers throughout Hamburg and spoke to people about Joel's situation. The class came together even more. "The students see what it means to actively live democracy and not just watch and let others shape the lives of strangers."
Basboga was overwhelmed by the large number of supporters of the petition. "I initially hoped that perhaps 1,000 signatures would come together, that would have been great. But over 100,000 signatures – that's a whole different dimension."
Joel's family lives in Hamburg
The deportation would not only have denied him his high school diploma, Joel said. In addition to losing many friends, it would have meant separation from his family, as he would have had to return to Ghana without his father and sister. He was also deeply moved by the strong support: "I can't express my feelings. I didn't expect this."
Despite the Foreigners Authority's stance that they can only decide based on existing residency laws, the Refugee Senate Commission deemed it necessary to intervene due to Joel's urgent personal reasons to stay in Hamburg, as a refugee. The deportation of the well-integrated and diligent 18-year-old Ghanaian refugee Joel, who is now of legal age, had been threatened, causing concerns among his classmates and over 100,000 supporters, including prominent figures in Hamburg.
