The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) is significantly curtailing the recognition of Syrian asylum seekers as eligible for protection, a shift sparking political debate and raising questions about Germany’s long-term commitment to Syrian refugees. In October alone, BAMF processed 3,134 Syrian asylum cases, granting protection status to a mere 0.8% of applicants. This minuscule figure comprises one recipient of asylum under the Basic Law, ten granted refugee status, nine receiving subsidiary protection and six awarded deportation suspension.
This dramatic reduction follows a period when BAMF had previously suspended processing applications for Syrian citizens, excluding those with criminal records. Processing resumed in September, initially targeting young, employable and unaccompanied male applicants, as well as those whose claims had remained pending for over 21 months. To date, 2,869 Syrians have voluntarily returned to their homeland under the federal government’s repatriation program.
The potential for deportation orders is now a subject of intense political maneuvering. Integration Commissioner Natalie Pawlik of the SPD stated that current deliberations within the governing coalition are focused exclusively on deporting convicted criminals and individuals deemed a threat to public safety – a condition stipulated in the coalition agreement. She emphasized that the number of Syrians potentially eligible for deportation is “a very low three-digit number.
However, this cautious approach faces sharp criticism from conservative politicians who advocate for a more assertive repatriation policy. Saxony’s Interior Minister, Armin Schuster (CDU), underscored former Chancellor Angela Merkel’s previous assertion regarding the temporary nature of Syrian refugee admissions. Similarly, Bavaria’s Interior Minister, Joachim Hermann (CSU), argued that Syrians ultimately bear the responsibility of rebuilding their country, adding that those successfully integrated “are welcome to stay” while emphasizing a preference for voluntary returns.
The divergence in viewpoints reflects a broader tension within the German government regarding its responsibility towards Syrian refugees, with the conservative wing increasingly pressing for a return to stricter immigration policies and questioning the long-term viability of integrating a large refugee population. The current framework, prioritizing the deportation of only a limited group, leaves open the possibility of future shifts in policy and raises concerns about the future security and stability for many Syrian refugees residing in Germany.
