Germany significantly tightened its migration policy in recent months, introducing new laws and deportation rules. The measures aim to increase control over the flow of migrants and improve national security.
Tightening the Law
In January 2025, the German Bundestag approved a resolution proposed by the opposition bloc of the Christian Democratic Union and the Christian Social Union. The plan, developed by CDU leader Friedrich Merz, aims to improve internal security in five-fold:
- Permanent Border Controls: at all land borders in Germany to prevent illegal entry.
- Refusal of Entry Without Permission: for persons without a valid residence permit.
- Detention of Persons Subject to Deportation: must be taken into custody until they are expelled.
- Tougher Penalties for Criminal Migrants: convicted of crimes and persons posing a threat to public safety.
- Restriction of Family Reunification: for persons under subsidiary protection in Germany.
New Deportation Rules
As part of the policy, Germany revised its deportation procedures. Now, people who do not have the right to stay in the country are subject to accelerated deportation.
Reaction of Society and Politicians
The tightening of migration policy caused public outcry.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed concern that the adoption of the new policy depended on the support of the far-right Alternative for Germany. Scholz stressed that such dependence, for the first time in post-war Germany, represents “a bad sign for parliament and for our country.”
Proponents of stricter immigration policies argue that the measures are necessary to ensure security and stability in the country.
Proponents point to recent incidents involving migrants, such as the murder of a child in Aschaffenburg and attacks in Solingen, as evidence. Opponents, however, believe that such measures could lead to human rights violations for refugees and increased xenophobia in German society.
Cross-Continental Affair: Anti-Immigration Sweeps Europe
The tightening of migration policy in Germany is taking place against the backdrop of similar processes in other EU countries.
France is accelerating the deportation of migrants with rejected asylum applications and strengthening border controls.
In Italy, the government of Giorgio Meloni is passing laws limiting opportunities for illegal migration and introducing strict measures for NGOs that rescue refugees in the Mediterranean.
Austria and the Netherlands are tightening asylum conditions, citing overburdened social systems.
The European Commission is preparing a bill to change the rules for the return of migrants without legal status. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasises the need for concerted action to improve the effectiveness of returns and prevent illegal migration.
Germany’s tightening of migration policy reflects a general trend in Europe, where countries are tightening controls on migrants. These measures are controversial; some view them as a necessity whilst others denounce their inhumane far-right sentiment.
Going forward, it seems that European politics will have to embrace the hard cold truth around immigration. Reforming loopholes in the system whilst regulating immigration are necessary steps for ‘equality’ whilst relieving the pressure on social services that are at capacity.
If European leaders want to keep populist far-right figures out of power, they are going to have to take a page out of their book.
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