The new German coalition government, led by the Christian Democratic Union (CDU/SPD), plans to ban refugees with subsidiary protection from bringing their relatives to Germany over the next two years.
According to a report from Deutsche Welle, the most affected ones from this decision will be Syrians, Schengen.News reports.
The plan has not been received well by Mohammed, who is a Syrian national in Germany. He said that he was not aware of the many obstacles he was about to face while raising his children while attempting to complete family reunification procedures.
Before I came to Germany, I didn’t know it would be so difficult. I simply didn’t know. You know, we’re men, and we men aren’t used to raising children.
The German future federal government, made up of the CDU, CSU, and SPD, proposes to pause family reunification for those with subsidiary protection for two years.
Earlier this month, Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said that citizens expect a change of policy on migration, which would include an end to family reunification in certain cases.
A country’s capacity for integration simply has its limits, and that’s why we must act. Cities and municipalities across the country are reaching their limits.
Tightened Asylum Policies Since Beginning of May
Authorities in Germany previously announced that from May 6, 2025, the country would introduce tightened border controls and also limit the number of asylum applications.
The incoming Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, said that asylum seekers should apply for protection in the first EU country they enter, stressing that that is almost never Germany.
A report from InfoMigrants also revealed that among the measures introduced would be tightened border controls at the country’s borders, in a bid to better manage irregular migration.
No one can apply for asylum in the country of their choice. According to European law, this must happen where someone enters the European Union for the first time. That is almost never Germany. Incoming German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz
Border Controls Must Remain Effective
On April 9, 2025, in the coalition agreement provided by the coalition, it was stressed that border controls must continue to remain effective.
In a bid to deal with irregular migration, authorities in Germany reintroduced border controls with all neighbouring countries in September 2024.
Back then, the outgoing German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, said that border controls would be kept in place until September 15, 2025.
In spite of being considered by authorities in Germany as effective for combating irregular migration, it was criticised by neighbouring countries.