Family reunification stopped: Austria's strict course in asylum policy!

Family reunification stopped: Austria's strict course in asylum policy!

In a controversial step, the federal government plans to temporarily suspend family reunification for persons entitled to protection. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner and Minister of Integration Claudia Plakolm (both ÖVP) emphasize that Austria is unable to accept more people. This decision follows a drastic decline in applications, from 2,400 in February 2024 to only 60 in February 2025. Karner argues that the areas of health, education and social affairs are already at its limits, while Plakolm refers to increasing youth crime in urban areas, which it connects to family re -tribe, such as Puls24 reported .

The Austrian government plans to set this stop by law, and sees it an essential part of its new government program. The measures to check documents and DNA tests are to be reinforced. However, the stop raises questions about legal enforceability. Experts like Lukas Gahleitner-Gertz from the asylum coordination of Austria complain that there is no "emergency" that justifies this drastic step and speak of a "argumentation emergency" of the government. Criticism from the UNHCR and Amnesty International also emphasizes that the step brings humanitarian and international problems with it, since the integration of the family members concerned is significantly more difficult and legal escape routes would be trimmed, such as vienna.at reported.

criticism of politics

from different sides, resistance is stuck to the project. Human rights activist Doro Blancke warns of catastrophic conditions in refugee camps, especially for women and children who are waiting for reunification with their families. There is also criticism within the SPÖ, which interprets the decision as an exhaustion of right -wing extremist positions. In contrast, the FPÖ tops the discussion with the claim that the government does not take the challenge seriously. She sees the step as a "empty message" and calls for a clear commitment to the previous commitments in the asylum area.