Germany’s outgoing government has paused flights for the voluntary admission of Afghan refugees for two weeks while awaiting a decision from the incoming administration on how to move forward. This suspension follows an agreement earlier this month by the conservative-Social Democrat coalition to reduce irregular migration, driven by a public backlash following violent incidents involving migrants and growing pressure on housing and infrastructure.
Since the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan, Germany has felt a strong responsibility to protect Afghan locals who worked with German agencies and humanitarian groups, as well as other vulnerable individuals. As part of this commitment, Germany has resettled 36,000 people under voluntary programs, including 20,000 local staff and their families.
Currently, around 2,600 Afghan refugees approved for entry by Germany’s Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) are waiting in Pakistan for visas and flight arrangements, including 350 former local employees.
The Foreign Ministry, led by the Greens, emphasized that existing admission approvals are legally binding and can only be revoked under specific conditions, complicating any cancellation efforts by the incoming government.
Conservative politicians have criticized the ongoing flights, suggesting that the current government is rushing to finalize refugee admissions before the new administration takes over. Meanwhile, ProAsyl, a German NGO, warned that suspending the flights puts vulnerable Afghans at significant risk of torture or death if returned to Taliban-controlled areas.
“The German government itself has determined their endangerment,” said Wiebke Judith, ProAsyl’s legal policy spokesperson.