Government is planning drastic restrictions on family reunification!

Government is planning drastic restrictions on family reunification!

The new government coalition of the CDU/CSU and SPD in Germany plans significant tightening in the field of migration. According to a report by Exxpress.at , two draft laws from interior minister Alexander Dobrindt are to be adopted in the Bundestag. A central element of these initiatives is the restriction of family reunification for those who are entitled to subsidiary, who will no longer enable them to bring close relatives to Germany in the future.

These measures, according to Dobrindt, are necessary to reduce the "pull factors" to Germany. However, the draft laws met with massive criticism. The refugee organization Pro Asylum described the plans as "catastrophe for families affected" because it closed legal and safe escape routes. The migration and labor market expert Herbert Brücker also warned of the psychological stress that can arise from the separation of family members, which could also have a negative impact on integration.

family reunification and legal framework conditions

The planned stop of the family reunification to subsidiary protection for two years is a direct consequence of these legislative initiatives. Since 2015, subsidiary protectionists have had the opportunity to bring spouses, children or parents to Germany. After an interruption, this regulation has been limited to a maximum of 1,000 visas per month since 2018. In 2024, German messages began to exhibit around 120,000 visas for family reunions, including about 12,000 for members of subsidiary protection beneficiaries. Over 80 % of these visas went to Syrian citizens, such as Mediendienst-integration.de reported.

Aktuell in Germany lives around 351,400 people with subsidiary protection, with more than half have been in the country for over six years. The legal framework for family reunification is complex: While asylum-entitled and recognized refugees have the right to a privileged family reunification, subsidiary persons are dependent on the national legislator, since the EU directive for family reunification does not apply to you.

consequences of the change in law

The suspension of family reunification is legally controversial. The Federal Constitutional Court and the European Human Rights Court have already decided that a complete suspension is not permitted. The psychological pressure, which comes from the separation of families, could indeed lead to irregular migration, which of experts like Dr. Benjamin Etzold was highlighted by the Bonn International Center for Conflict Studies. Studies show that these separations make integration more difficult and cause significant psychological stress among those affected.