(de-news.net) – The Bundestag has concluded deliberations on legislation intended to align German asylum law with the revised regulatory framework of the European Union. Central to the proposed adjustments are the planned establishment of ‘secondary migration centers’ within Germany and the adoption of standardized procedural mechanisms at the EU’s external borders. These measures are designed to embed national asylum administration more firmly within a coordinated European system.
Under the proposed regulatory framework, secondary migration centers would be designated to accommodate asylum seekers who have already been registered in another EU member state, thereby operationalizing existing responsibility-sharing rules. Although affected individuals would retain the option to depart voluntarily to the member state deemed responsible for their application, their freedom of movement within German territory would be subject to defined administrative limitations. The legislation authorizes authorities to confine departures from accommodation facilities to specified daytime periods, while individuals whose applications have been rejected may face more comprehensive restrictions, including an obligation to remain within the facilities. Furthermore, the reform introduces procedural detention during the pendency of asylum proceedings, particularly in cases where identity verification is required or where there is a perceived risk of absconding. This mechanism is intended to facilitate more efficient administrative processing, including expedited transfers or removals where appropriate. The law also provides that, under certain defined circumstances, these measures may apply to family units and minors, thereby extending the procedural scope of the regulatory framework.
European asylum overhaul institutionalizes fast-track procedures
At the European level, the reform establishes uniform border procedures designed to accelerate decision-making timelines, particularly for applicants assessed as having a low probability of qualifying for international protection. Individuals subject to these procedures may be accommodated at or near external borders under conditions resembling custodial supervision while their claims are adjudicated. The framework further encompasses applicants suspected of misrepresenting their identity or presenting potential risks to public order or national security, thereby broadening the categories subject to accelerated processing. In addition, an amendment introduced by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) modifies existing labor market access rules by reducing the waiting period for employment authorization from six months to three months of residence. This adjustment reflects an effort to recalibrate integration timelines while maintaining the procedural structure of asylum adjudication.
Political responses to the reform have reflected substantial divergence across the parliamentary spectrum. Sonja Eichwede of the SPD indicated that enhanced European coordination would reinforce the institutional safeguarding of the fundamental right to asylum by ensuring consistent procedural guarantees across member states. In parallel, Günter Krings of the CDU characterized the reform as a decisive step toward restructuring asylum governance, emphasizing that harmonized procedures would strengthen administrative coherence and improve regulatory clarity within the broader European asylum system. Maximilian Krah of the AfD argued that the legislative changes would not materially reduce irregular migration flows, suggesting that the reform would have limited practical impact on migration dynamics. By contrast, Lukas Benner of Bündnis 90/Die Grünen maintained that the government’s approach extended beyond the minimum requirements established at the European level. He further indicated that the measures represented the most consequential tightening of asylum policy since 1993, underscoring concerns regarding the scope and long-term implications of the proposed regulatory shift.
