Germany has temporarily suspended voluntary resettlement flights for Afghan refugees as the country transitions to a new government, the Foreign Ministry announced Wednesday. The suspension is expected to last two weeks while the incoming administration, led by conservatives and Social Democrats (SPD), deliberates on future migration policy.
The move comes amid growing public concern over irregular migration following several violent incidents involving migrants, as well as rising strain on housing and public infrastructure. Germany had previously prioritized the protection of Afghan nationals who worked with German agencies during the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan, particularly after the 2021 withdrawal.
So far, Germany has admitted 36,000 Afghans under special programs, including over 20,000 former local staff and their families. Currently, 2,600 approved applicants, 350 ex-employees, remain in Pakistan awaiting visas and charter flights.
The visa process involves thorough security checks conducted by multiple German authorities, including the Federal Police and the Office for the Protection of the Constitution. The outgoing Greens-led Foreign Ministry emphasized that current admissions are legally binding and can only be revoked under strict legal conditions, making it difficult for the new government to reverse existing commitments.
Conservative lawmakers criticized the SPD-Greens coalition for continuing resettlement flights so close to the power transition. “It creates the impression that an outgoing federal government is trying to establish facts on the ground in its final days,” said Thorsten Frei, a conservative parliamentary leader.
ProAsyl, a leading refugee rights organization, condemned the suspension, warning it puts lives at risk. “A return or deportation to Afghanistan could mean torture or even death for them,” said Wiebke Judith, the NGO’s legal policy spokesperson.
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