Association: Municipalities "with their backs to the wall"
According to Lower Saxony's Association of Towns and Municipalities (NSGB), the new agreements between the federal and state governments on refugee policy must be implemented quickly. "The cities and municipalities in Lower Saxony are pleased that the federal government has now recognized that immigration to Germany must be controlled and also limited after a long period of looking the other way," said NSGB President Marco Trips on Tuesday. "However, it is also clear that local authorities still have their backs to the wall when it comes to accommodation and integration."
Among other things, faster procedures, a limit on immigration, fewer incentives and more repatriations are important. The possibilities of the state have not yet been exhausted. However, it will not be possible to accommodate another 300,000 people nationwide in the coming year, Trips warned.
Following lengthy consultations, the federal and state governments agreed on new measures in refugee policy last night. In addition to a change in the distribution of costs between the federal and state governments, restrictions on benefits for asylum seekers, the introduction of a payment card and the examination of asylum procedures in third countries outside Europe were also agreed. In addition, a commission is to be set up to manage migration and improve integration, which will also include churches, trade unions, academics and refugee organizations.
The new refugee policy agreements necessitate swift implementation, as stated by NSGB, acknowledging the challenges faced by municipalities in Lower Saxony due to potential overcapacity in accommodating and integrating refugees. Despite the establishment of a commission to manage migration and improve integration, it's perceived that local authorities continue to be under pressure.
Source: www.dpa.com
