The Interior Minister of Germany, Nancy Faeser, has unveiled a new deportation legislation for sending unsuccessful asylum seekers back to their home countries in a bid of the government to address immigration concerns.
According to the Minister, the draft law would create the conditions needed for expulsions and returns to take place, through more than 40 measures.
Commenting on the legislation, Minister Faeser also noted that the new legislation includes the extension of the maximum duration of pre-deportation detention from ten to 28 days, in order to facilitate authorities in ensuring the successful execution of deportations. At present, deportation is often subject to obstacles at the final stages.
Addressing the members of the German lower house of parliament, the Bundestag, Faeser emphasised that the legislation was fundamental in securing societal acceptance of migration.
Anyone who has no right to stay must leave Germany again. We must be able to enforce this principle; otherwise we will harm our community.
The Minister noted the “remarkable” transformation of Germany, evolving from a state that caused two world wars to become a country where people seek protection.
In order for us to be this country, we also need clear rules and laws. This means that those who do not have the right to remain must leave the country again — quickly and reliably. This is a prerequisite for migration to be accepted in society.
Earlier this month, Germany introduced several measures in order to tighten immigration and asylum policy.
The government also unfolded plans to reach agreements with migrants’ countries of origin and transit to ease the deportations in exchange for legal immigration to this country, as reported by Le Monde.
Last month, Germany introduced controls at borders with Poland, Switzerland and Czechia as part of efforts to halt irregular migration. The country is in a constant struggle to manage the influx of those attempting to enter in an irregular way, many of whom reach eastern European countries first and then intend to transit to Germany.
In September alone, over 21,360 people reached the country without authorisation, based on the statistics from the German Police, thus accounting for the most significant increase since February 2016.
The same source revealed that for a period between January and September this year, a total of 92,119 people reached Germany in an irregular way, thus raising concerns that the country could register a larger number of irregular entry attempts than in 2016.
At the same time, the number of deportations also marked an increase in the first half of this year, compared to the same period last year. From January until June this year, 7,861 people were returned.
