The number of deportations in Germany has increased by more than a third in the first quarter of 2024, according to a media report. A total of 4,791 people without legal status were deported from Germany by the end of March. Most of these individuals were deported to North Macedonia. However, more than 7,000 repatriations failed to take place during the same period, with reasons ranging from individuals being untraceable to canceled flights. The report also highlighted that Turkey and Georgia were the next most common destinations for deportations after North Macedonia.
Critics, including Left Party politician Clara Bünger, have accused the German government of having an “obsession with deportations.” According to Bünger, the moral reservations against deporting individuals seem to be diminishing within government authorities. Despite the increasing number of deportations, the number of individuals who are actually required to leave the country has decreased. In March, there were around 234,000 people in Germany who were obligated to leave, with 46,000 of them lacking the necessary permission to stay. Those with a “Duldung” status are eligible for deportation but are unable to be removed due to factors such as lack of identification documents or health issues. The “Duldung” status is always temporary.
The increase in deportations comes amidst ongoing efforts by the German government to address the issue of individuals without legal status in the country. The rise in deportations from Germany contrasts with the failed repatriation attempts, which numbered over 7,000 in the first quarter of 2024. The majority of unsuccessful deportations were due to individuals being untraceable or flights being canceled, with medical reasons being cited less frequently as obstacles. Despite the challenges faced in executing deportations, North Macedonia remains the top destination for individuals being removed from Germany, followed by Turkey and Georgia.
According to a media report, the number of deportations in Germany has seen a significant increase in the first quarter of 2024, with more than 4,700 people without legal status being removed from the country by the end of March. This marks a 34% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. North Macedonia was the primary destination for deported individuals during this time, followed by Turkey and Georgia. However, the success rate of deportations remains a challenge, with over 7,000 planned repatriations failing to materialize due to various reasons, including individuals being untraceable and canceled flights.
The issue of deportations in Germany has sparked criticism from politicians like Clara Bünger of the Left Party, who have accused the government of having a growing appetite for deportations despite a decreasing number of individuals who are required to leave the country. The data from the Federal Ministry of the Interior shows that there were around 234,000 individuals in Germany with an obligation to leave in March, of which 46,000 lacked the necessary permissions to stay. As deportations continue to be a contentious issue, the government faces the challenge of balancing its deportation policies with the practical difficulties and constraints that impede successful repatriations.
