Germany resumed the deportation of Afghan nationals on Friday, sending 28 convicted offenders back to Afghanistan for the first time since the Taliban retook control of the country in 2021. The deportation flight, which departed from Leipzig in the early morning, marks a significant shift in Germany’s migration policy, coming just days before key regional elections where immigration has become a central issue.
The decision to restart deportations follows months of planning and comes in the wake of growing public concern over crime and security, particularly after a series of violent incidents involving migrants. The most recent, a deadly knife attack in Solingen on August 23, has intensified the debate over asylum policies in Germany. The attack, in which three people were killed and eight others injured, was allegedly carried out by a 26-year-old Syrian man with suspected links to ISIS. This incident has led to calls for stricter immigration controls and expedited deportations of those deemed a threat to public safety.
Government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit confirmed that the deported individuals were all male Afghan nationals convicted of various crimes. Although Germany has no diplomatic relations with the Taliban government, the deportations were arranged through negotiations with regional powers, bypassing direct talks with the Taliban. Reports suggest that each deportee received a payment of €1,000 before being sent back to Afghanistan, though officials did not confirm this detail.
The timing of the deportations coincides with a broader push by the German government to tighten asylum regulations. On Thursday, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser unveiled a new security package aimed at speeding up the deportation of rejected asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants, particularly those convicted of crimes. The measures also include a ban on carrying knives at public events and on public transport, along with enhanced efforts to combat Islamist extremism.
The resumption of deportations has drawn criticism from human rights groups, who argue that Afghanistan remains too dangerous for deportations due to the ongoing security situation under Taliban rule. However, the German government has defended the move, emphasizing the need to protect public safety and uphold the rule of law.
The issue of migration has become increasingly politicized in Germany, particularly in the lead-up to regional elections in Saxony and Thuringia. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which has capitalized on anti-immigration sentiments, is polling strongly in both states. The AfD has used recent violent incidents involving migrants as a rallying cry, further pressuring the ruling coalition led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz to take a tougher stance on immigration.
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