Stricter federal and state government measures are being implemented concerning immigration.
Weekly focus at the Minister Presidents' meeting revolved around immigration policies. Despite no groundbreaking decisions, it was evident that the Federal Government and State's immigration policies will tighten. Deportations to Syria and Afghanistan are now acceptable, particularly for criminals and individuals posing security threats. Here's a summary of the meeting's outcomes:
Asylum Procedures in Third Countries
States urged the Federal Government to create practical models for implementation of asylum procedures in third and transit countries during their meeting. Hessian Minister President Boris Rhein, who currently chairs Minister Presidents' Conference, deemed this demand a significant milestone. Rather than reports, the focus should be on delivering models and proposing viable implementation strategies.
Potential models include the so-called Rwanda model or Italy-Albania agreement. However, third country regulations are legally and politically intricate, with few functioning examples. Niedersachsen Minister President Stephan Weil showed apprehension regarding potential third country regulations, stating that he personally has significant doubts. Nevertheless, he emphasized that the proposals presented by the Federal Government must undergo rigorous examination.
Scholz highlighted that these discussions concern around 3000 people in the Italian-Albanian case and approximately 6000 people in the British Rwanda model. Despite this being insignificant compared to the scale of Germany's burden, he underscored the importance of exploring all potential solutions. The topic is expected to reemerge in the subsequent Minister Presidents' conference.
Border Pushbacks
Weil also stated that border pushbacks, where individuals are pushed back across the border, were a contentious issue. However, changes may be necessary. "If someone in a safe country files an asylum application and is then apprehended at the German border, then something like that should be possible," Weil said.
Border pushbacks have been met with criticism: "When a person seeks protection at the border, an asylum procedure must be initiated," states migration expert Jochen Oltmer. "However, if one believes it is legally feasible to close borders, what would that mean? Germany would instantly find itself in conflicts with neighboring countries. There would be chain pushbacks: Germany would push back to Austria, Austria to Hungary, and so on. Eventually, the question is: How are the EU's external borders?"
Deportations to Afghanistan and Syria
Regarding deportations of criminals and dangerous individuals to Afghanistan and Syria, there was consensus. Scholz's plan to deport serious criminals and potential security threats to countries like Afghanistan and Syria was welcome by the States. "We anticipate that the necessary conditions will be established for this," Rhein said.
Discussions gained traction following an Afghan's murder of a police officer in Mannheim. The Union and FDP now advocate for deportations to Syria and Afghanistan in general. However, these discussions didn't feature prominently during Thursday's discussions.
Opposition from Four States
The red-red-green governments of Thuringia and Bremen refused to support the plan for a third-country regulation in a joint statement. The joint European asylum policy must uphold the rule of law and compassion, it states. "The transfer of asylum procedures to transit and third countries does not meet these requirements."
On the other hand, the union-led federal states of Bavaria and Saxony were deemed insufficient by these decisions. They presented a five-point plan, which includes the demand for an "immediate arrest" for asylum seekers and potential threat cases who can't be deported.
Debit Card
Before their meeting with Scholz, the federal states agreed on limiting asylum seekers' debit cards to a maximum of 50 euros per month. The decision has already been made; the practical implementation lies with the states. "The debit card is coming, it will start in the summer," said Rhein. A majority of 13 of the 16 federal states have agreed on this 50-euro debit card limit.
Rhein described the debit card as "a joint success model in the fight against illegal migration," as it eliminates incentives and assists in stopping smugglers. However, the police union has expressed concern. Asylum seekers often face pressure to cover healthcare costs for their families in their home countries or pay debts to smugglers. Asylum seekers may resort to criminal activities if a balance isn't maintained, according to GdP chairman Jochen Kopelke.
Read also:
- Despite some reservations, particularly from Niedersachsen Minister President Stephan Weil, the states urged Olaf Scholz's Federal Government to explore practical models for implementing asylum procedures in third and transit countries, like the Rwanda model or the Italy-Albania agreement.
- The discussion on potential solutions to address migration issues, such as the British Rwanda model and the Italian-Albanian agreement, involved around 3000 people in the former and approximately 6000 people in the latter, highlighted by Scholz.
- Regarding deportations of criminals and potential security threats to countries like Afghanistan and Syria, there was consensus among the states, with Hessian Minister President Boris Rhein anticipating that the necessary conditions would be established for this.
- The Federal Government's plan to deport serious criminals and potential security threats to Afghanistan and Syria was met with approval by several states, following an incident of a murder committed by an Afghan in Mannheim.
- The red-red-green governments of Thuringia and Bremen opposed a third-country regulation for asylum procedures, citing concerns about upholding the rule of law and compassion, while the union-led federal states of Bavaria and Saxony criticized the decision as insufficient.
