The city of Cologne is increasingly facing criticism following reports that it declined an assistance offer from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia intended to prepare for deportations at the end of 2024.
According to the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, the central foreign authority in Coesfeld offered to procure return documents for approximately 500 individuals from West Balkan nations who were mandatorily required to leave. However, the city reportedly replied seven days later stating that substitute identity documents were unnecessary. Instead, Cologne chose to help these individuals achieve “a permanent perspective on staying and obtain a residence permit.” Mayor Thorsten Burmester has since announced a review of the entire process.
The CDU has demanded consequences for the city. Gregor Golland, the deputy chairman of the CDU parliamentary faction, told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (Wednesday edition) that “It is a clear-cut scandal that must have disciplinary and civil service law consequences for the city of Cologne.” He added that instead of attempting to unsuccessfully integrate criminals and social fraudsters through false tolerance, they should all be deported as quickly as possible.
Golland further asserted that the situation in Cologne is unacceptable to any normal or decent person, and that it is a slap in the face to all well-integrated and law-abiding foreign citizens who no longer understand this governmental failure.
Henning Höne, head of the FDP parliamentary group, announced in the FAZ that he would bring the matter before parliament and floated the idea of an investigative committee. He stressed that local foreign authorities should not undermine regulations unilaterally-something, it appears, happened in Cologne. “It’s hard to believe this was an isolated case. It must be thoroughly investigated,” he stated. Initial comments from Migration Minister Verena Schäffer (Greens) indicated that she did not grasp the extent of the scandal.
The black-green state government, led by Minister-President Hendrik Wüst (CDU), stated that the deputy federal chairman of the FDP must ensure uniform adherence to rules, which requires greater centralization. Höne pointed out that local foreign authorities are obligated to perform “mandatory tasks according to instructions.” He questioned the extent of the guidance, supervision, and control exercised by the state government. Consequently, he argued, the ministry for migration, led by the Greens, must be scrutinized for allowing such lenient practices to slip through in other cities. “This will involve a lot of work for the state parliament.”
