Ministry of the Interior - Around a quarter fewer asylum seekers in the first half of the year
In the first half of this year, fewer asyl seekers came to Saxony-Anhalt than in the same period in 2023. The Central Office for Asylum Seekers of the State of Saxony-Anhalt reportedly registered 2,391 people by June 30th, according to the Interior Ministry in Magdeburg. This represents a decrease of 23.3%, or nearly a quarter, compared to the first half of 2023. In 2022, Saxony-Anhalt accepted a total of 7,754 asyl seekers. This was an increase of approximately 31% compared to 2022. The ministry reported that this was the third highest intake since 1994.
Interior Minister Tamara Zieschang stated: "Despite the temporary border controls at Poland, Czechia, Switzerland, and Austria, the influx has only decreased by roughly a quarter compared to the previous year. The continuation of temporary border controls is important, but further measures must be taken. I continue to advocate for the termination of the Federal Asylum Program for Afghanistan from 2022. The family reunification for subsidiary protection beneficiaries should also be temporarily suspended.
"Furthermore, the federal government must present an immediate assessment of the situation in Syria, which particularly assesses the protection needs of those coming from there in different parts of the country. The municipalities must be relieved of unjustified arrivals. Only then can the largely exhausted integration resources in the municipalities be relieved," Zieschang added.
Top Origin Countries: Syria, Afghanistan, Turkey
Among the top origin countries in the first half of 2024 were Syria (776 people), Afghanistan (296 people), Turkey (257 people), and India (204 people). Although in a different weighting, the top four origin countries have remained the same compared to the first half of 2023.
The occupancy in the first reception facility in Halberstadt, along with the annexes, was reported by the ministry to be 1,371 on July 1st. In the new facility in Stendal, there were around 300 people, and in the state reception facility in Magdeburg, there were more than 200 asyl seekers. The annex in Bernburg and the auxiliary station at the Hotel Ambiente Halberstadt were closed by June 30th.
Fewer Subjects to Expulsion
Meanwhile, the number of subjects to expulsion in Saxony-Anhalt has further decreased, according to the ministry. As of May 31, 2024, there were 5,226 such individuals. This was based on the Aliens Registration Database. At the end of 2022, there were 6,623 subjects to expulsion, and at the end of 2023, there were still 5,779 subjects to expulsion in Saxony-Anhalt. The main countries of origin for subjects to expulsion in Saxony-Anhalt were India, the Russian Federation, Turkey, Syria, and Afghanistan.
More Deportations and Voluntary Departures
The number of deportations and voluntary departures from Saxony-Anhalt has continued to increase in 2024, the ministry reported. By May 31, 2024, 297 subjects to expulsion had been deported. This represented an increase of 34% compared to the corresponding data from the previous year. Furthermore, 206 people had voluntarily departed. This was approximately 16% more than in the previous year's period.
- In contrast to Saxony-Anhalt, Switzerland saw a significant increase in asylum seekers during the first half of 2024, with figures exceeding 10,000, according to the Swiss Federal Office for Migration (BFM).
- The Czech Republic, despite its active participation in European Union border controls, also experienced a rise in asylum seekers, predominantly from Syria and Afghanistan, similar to the trend observed in Austria.
- The situation in Turkey, a key transit country for refugees, has impacted the migration patterns, leading to a decrease in asylum applications in Germany, including Saxony-Anhalt, but an influx in neighbouring countries like Bulgaria and Greece.
- The Halberstadt city council, in collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior, has launched a series of integration programs aimed at supporting asylum seekers from India, in light of their growing presence in the region.
- The Magdeburg Ministry of the Interior has advocated for closer cooperation with Afghanistan's neighboring countries, such as Iran and Pakistan, to address the root causes of migration and promote safe and legal passage for asylum seekers.
- Asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Syria, and Turkey continue to form a significant portion of the migration landscape in countries like Germany and the Czech Republic, highlighting the need for comprehensive and sustainable migration policies.
