Bad News for Those Waiting for 'Family Reunification' in Germany

Germany Suspends 'Family Reunification' for 2 Years

The German Federal Parliament has approved a draft law that suspends family reunification for asylum seekers under “subsidiary protection” for a period of two years.

No changes were made to the rights of refugees under the Geneva Convention.

The newly passed law, prepared by the German government, affects those who are not granted official refugee status but are considered at risk of serious harm if returned to their home countries and are therefore granted “subsidiary protection.”

In the parliamentary vote, the bill was passed with 444 votes in favor and 135 against.

Interior Minister Alexander Dorbindt stated that the law aims to reduce the excessive burden on the state and society caused by migration. He explained that Germany’s social welfare system, education system, and housing market all have limits to their resilience.

The Minister also noted that suspending family reunification for individuals under subsidiary protection would reduce the number of new arrivals by 12,000 people per year.

It is expected that this law will particularly affect individuals from Syria, who make up a large proportion of those under subsidiary protection.

By the end of 2024, approximately 390,000 asylum seekers were living in Germany under subsidiary protection status, of which 296,000 were from Syria.

📌 Though officially a 2-year suspension, ‘Family Reunification’ may not be reinstated at all.#

Source: NTV