Migration - Interior Ministers call for shift in asylum policy
The interior ministers of the union-led federal states are pushing for a change in asylum policy due to the persistent strong migration to Germany and security risks. In a declaration passed at their conference (B-IMK) in Dresden, they called for the strengthened border controls during the Football-EM to be continued - until the sustainable securing of the EU external borders and the entry into force of the improved Dublin System for transferring refugees to other EU countries.
Furthermore, they spoke in favor of the immediate application of a third-party solution and for more diplomatic efforts for repatriation agreements with previously uncooperative origin countries. Bavaria's department head Joachim Herrmann (CSU) spoke of a "clear commitment" to border controls and that persons coming from third countries who have already asked for asylum or had it rejected there should be denied entry.
With the eleven-point plan, the Interior Ministers' Conference of the so-called B-States presented the supposedly indecisive federal government with a "master plan," said the host, Saxony's Interior Minister Armin Schuster (CDU). "It's time to give up this waiting attitude." The municipalities are at their limit, integration is becoming increasingly difficult, with consequences also for the security situation. And border controls are "highly effective," said Schuster, speaking of a decline of up to 20 percent in inflows.
"Every additional burden on our asylum system must be prevented," warned Brandenburg's department head Michael Stübgen (CDU) against the background of the projected number of 300,000 new refugees for Germany by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. Uncontrolled access must be limited. Anyone who behaves particularly lawlessly must leave Germany. To support the states and municipalities in repatriations, the Bund, according to the "Dresden Declaration," should create Ausreiseeinrichtungen at selected airports, with the possibility of Ausreisearrest.
Stübgen criticized the behavior of Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) in this regard. "She seems not to recognize the problem situation in Germany or is not interested in it," he said, and demanded that she "finally act professionally diplomatically" so that criminals could be deported.
- The push for a change in Bayern's asylum policy is driven by the persistent strong migration to Germany and associated security risks.
- The interior ministers of the union-led Federal States, including Bavaria, advocated for continued border controls during the European Football Championship.
- Joachim Herrmann, the CSU's department head in Bavaria, expressed a clear commitment to border controls and the denial of entry to individuals from third countries with asylum requests or rejections.
- The Interior Ministers' Conference presented an 11-point plan to the German government, aiming to prevent additional burdens on the asylum system.
- Armin Schuster, CDU's interior minister in Saxony, urged the federal government to abandon its waiting attitude, stating that municipalities are at their limit and integration is becoming increasingly challenging.
- Michael Stübgen, CDU's department head in Brandenburg, warned against the projected number of 300,000 new refugees for Germany, emphasizing the need to limit uncontrolled access and deport lawless individuals.
- To support the states and municipalities in repatriations, the Bund, as per the "Dresden Declaration", should establish Ausreiseeinrichtungen at selected airports with the option of Ausreisearrest.
- Stübgen criticized Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock's approach, claiming she does not acknowledge the problem situation in Germany or appears uninterested.
- The CDU politicians stressed the importance of diplomatic efforts for repatriation agreements with previously non-cooperative origin countries to address migration concerns.
- The states called for the immediate implementation of a third-party solution and the continuous strengthening of border controls until the securement of EU external borders and the implementation of an improved Dublin System.
- Asylpolitics in Germany require a course change, particularly in light of security risks, social integration challenges, and the pressure on municipalities, according to the union-led Federal States.
