Berlin Reshapes Immigration Policies: Ending Family Reunification Support for Refugees from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan
In a surprising move, Berlin has decided to halt support measures for refugees from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan who previously benefited from simplified procedures to bring family members into Germany.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt officially abolished the special regime that allowed registered refugees in the capital to invite their relatives through private arrangements.
As a result, any new or extended family reunification programs will no longer be authorized.
In a letter to Berlin's finance senator Stefan Evers, the minister stated that the Ministry of Internal Affairs will no longer approve new permits or extensions of existing benefits, effectively limiting refugees' ability to facilitate family reunifications within the city.
The special program, launched by the coalition of Social Democrats and Green Party in 2018, enabled over 4,000 individuals from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan to enter Berlin legally for family reunification purposes.
This policy shift has become a central topic in recent electoral debates and signifies a tougher stance by the government on migration control.
Additionally, Germany is planning to introduce stricter rules for social assistance, including among refugees from Ukraine, which has long been a subject of political discussion and reflects ongoing challenges in the country's social support system.