Germany unveils sweeping migration reforms to curb immigration

Three weeks after taking office, the coalition government has initiated the first legislative changes to limit migration. According to Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), the cabinet approved three proposals on Wednesday: the abolition of naturalization after just three years, the suspension of family reunification, and the reinstatement of the goal of limiting migration in the residency law.

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Dobrindt expressed confidence that the proposals can be passed in parliament by July. It was "a crucial day in the issue of reducing illegal migration," Dobrindt said after the cabinet meeting. The goal was to combat the excessive demands on municipalities when it came to accepting refugees and to eliminate so-called pull factors, incentives for immigration to Germany.

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The Interior Minister referred in particular to the temporary two-year suspension of family reunification for refugees without asylum status. This would not only prevent family members from joining them, but would also lead to fewer people making their way to Germany because they knew their families would not be able to join them. According to Dobrindt, exceptions for family reunification should only be made in hardship cases, for example, in cases of urgent medical care.

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Regarding naturalization, the government is now withdrawing the option introduced last year by the "Ampel" coalition government to obtain naturalization after just three years, Dobrindt continued. The legal situation will return to the one it was in before the change in 2024.

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The reforms have been met with fierce criticism from human rights and refugee organizations, the church, and the political opposition, among others. Dobrindt emphasized that criticism was to be expected, but the decisions were necessary. The CSU politician added, apparently with a view to the AfD's high poll ratings and the debate surrounding a party ban: "I do not advise reacting to election results by thinking that one can ban political movements. One must govern them away."