Germany Proposes Deporting Illegal Migrants to Rwanda

Migration Commissioner Joachim Stamp Says Plan Would Focus on Migrants Crossing EU’s Eastern Border

Barely two months after Britain’s new Labour government scrapped plans to deport illegal migrants to Rwanda, Germany has proposed adopting the scheme.

Its migration commissioner, Joachim Stamp, said Thursday that the German plan would focus on migrants coming across the European Union’s eastern border.

Background on Germany’s Migration Policies

Germany has accepted millions of refugees over the past decade, but its ruling coalition government is facing rising pressure to restrict irregular migration.

Incident that Fuelled Far-Right Criticism

This follows a deadly stabbing at a festival in the city of Solingen last month, which was claimed by the Islamic State group.

The incident further fuelled far-right criticism of Germany’s migration policies.

German Plan and Its Differences from the UK’s

Stamp said Rwanda made most sense as a destination for illegal migrants as the UK’s facilities were still in place.

However, unlike the British plan, Germany’s scheme would be supervised by the United Nations.

“We currently have no third country that has come forward, with the exception of Rwanda,” Stamp said in a podcast by Table Media.

He said Rwanda has publicly expressed its willingness to continue implementing this model.

Changes to the Common European Asylum System

In addition, Stamp suggested removing the so-called “connecting element” in the new Common European Asylum System (CEAS).

This currently requires external asylum procedures to be conducted in countries where the asylum seeker has a social connection.

European Union’s New Rules on Irregular Arrivals

In December last year, the European Union agreed on new rules to handle irregular arrivals of asylum seekers and migrants.

The deal was hailed as a breakthrough after almost a decade of bitter feuds on the issue, but it could take until the end of 2025 for the pact to take full effect.

Conclusion

Germany’s proposal to deport illegal migrants to Rwanda has sparked controversy, with critics arguing that it is inhumane and will only lead to more suffering for those affected. However, proponents of the plan argue that it is a necessary step to address the country’s migration crisis and ensure the safety and security of its citizens.

FAQs

Q: What is the purpose of Germany’s plan to deport illegal migrants to Rwanda?

A: The plan aims to address Germany’s migration crisis and ensure the safety and security of its citizens by deporting illegal migrants to Rwanda, where they can be processed and potentially resettled in other countries.

Q: How does Germany’s plan differ from the UK’s?

A: Unlike the UK’s plan, Germany’s scheme would be supervised by the United Nations, and it would focus on migrants coming across the European Union’s eastern border.

Q: What is the current state of the Common European Asylum System?

A: The system currently requires external asylum procedures to be conducted in countries where the asylum seeker has a social connection. However, Germany’s migration commissioner has suggested removing this “connecting element” to make the system more efficient.