Increase in deportations in Germany: Important measure or controversial signal?

The Left's outrage over the increased number of deportations is misleading. It's not true that the authorities have "hardly any taboos" to "drive up the number of deportations." Nor are these "mass deportations" happening. Rather, they are a legitimate attempt to reduce the number of people so-called immediately required to leave the country.

According to official figures, around 220,000 people live in Germany without a residence permit, 180,000 of whom are tolerated. The number of people immediately required to leave the country amounted to around 41,500 in the summer. Therefore, the fact that deportations, at 17,651, increased by around one-fifth from January to September compared to the same period last year sends an important signal to both Germany and abroad.

Germany's reception capacity is also limited. The space is needed for those who are in need of protection under national and international regulations.

The isolated cases in the past where integrated, working refugees were deported for formal reasons are regrettable. While this is also German law, it could only be enforced because these people had a regular daily routine and could be found, unlike some criminals, whose deportation, unfortunately, never happened. This is difficult to bear.

Likewise, criminals can hardly be deported if Germany, for political reasons, has no direct contact with the governments of their countries of origin – as is the case with the outlawed Taliban regime in Afghanistan and the still-conflicting situation in Syria. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) wants to change this and has now received the explicit support of all state premiers. This is politically complicated, but urgently needed.