Hans‑Eckhard Sommer, the director of Germany’s Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), says that integration courses for all asylum seekers are wrong and defends the recent cuts.
“Law says this is instruction for people who are legally and permanently residing in Germany” Sommer told “Der Spiegel”. “Asylum seekers simply do not belong there. For years they have still been entitled to the courses”.
He is surprised that the federal audit office never raised the issue. “It was a mistake to open up the courses so widely” he explained. Instead of a full nine‑month integration program, he notes that asylum seekers receive only shorter orientation courses. “If I give them a nine‑month course, why would these people have to decide then-my asylum claim is denied, do I leave the country? It makes no sense”.
The federal interior ministry, led by Alexander Dobrindt of the CSU, had recently announced savings measures that cut the availability of integration courses, sparking protests. Under the new plan, courses will be limited to people with a “positive stay outlook”.
The courses include 600 hours of German language instruction and 100 hours of orientation, covering topics such as the German legal system. During the traffic‑light coalition, courses were open to all interested individuals. The policy is now reversing that approach. Foreign nationals without a legal entitlement will no longer be allowed to participate for free if there are vacant places, even if the individual’s asylum procedure is still pending.
