More than 82,000 people required to leave Germany have been given a new opportunity to stay, through the Opportunity Residence Act.
The law is set to last until the end of this year, while the CDU/CSU coalition in Germany is planning to apply new regulations, Schengen.News reports.
The Opportunity Residence Act became effective in late December 2022 and is valid for three years. The Act applies to all those who have been residing in this country for at least five years, as of the deadline, October 31, 2022, with a tolerated stay, a residence permit or temporary permission.
In addition, they can receive a probationary residence permit valid for 18 months, along with their family members.
Tolerated people are those who are required to leave Germany but cannot be deported for specific reasons, which include a lack of documentation or being ill. The tolerated status is always temporary, as emphasised through the ZDF Heute report.
Once the 18-month probationary residence permit expires, persons who can support themselves financially, have sufficient German language and have a clear criminal record, may be granted permanent residence.
However, the opportunity to stay can not be provided for criminals or those who have repeatedly made intentionally false statements related to their identity.
Based on the figures from the German Interior Ministry, a total of 5,970 people who were granted a residence permit had previously been on a toleration permit due to unclear identity.
Opportunity Residence Act Should Be Terminated, Member of German Bundestag Said
The opportunity to apply under the Opportunity Residence Act will end by the end of this year. But, the Member of the German Bundestag, Sebastian Münzenmaier, said that action should be taken in order to terminate this act, according to a report from Stern.
If the CDU/CSU is serious about a migration turnaround, it must immediately end the traffic light coalition’s Opportunity Residence Act.
He objects to the opportunity to let people who delayed their deportation by providing false or incomplete information about their identity, as well as background, stay in Germany.
The coalition agreement between Germany’s CDU, CSU, and SPD emphasises that a temporary residence permit should also be granted to tolerated internationals who have a clear identity, are well-integrated, have worked to support themselves for a year and have lived in this country for at least four years by December 2024.