Germany Deports 81 Afghan Nationals

Germany has resumed deportations to Afghanistan, sending 81 Afghan nationals back to their home country on Friday, marking the first mass deportation under Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s administration.

The German Interior Ministry confirmed that the repatriation flight departed from Leipzig Airport with support from Qatar, as part of what it described as a collective effort to remove individuals who are legally required to leave. Those deported reportedly had criminal records.

This move reflects the coalition government's new migration policy, which prioritizes the expulsion of individuals deemed threats to public safety.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt stated that deportees will also face entry and residency bans as part of a broader policy shift.

The returnees were provided with up to €1,000 in financial assistance to help cover immediate needs upon arrival.

This provision aims to comply with legal standards set by Germany’s Federal Administrative Court, which prohibits deportations that could result in immediate destitution.

The decision has drawn criticism from human rights advocates, who highlight ongoing abuses in Afghanistan and raise ethical concerns over engaging with the Taliban government, which Berlin does not formally recognize.

Germany had previously suspended deportations to Afghanistan following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.

However, the current government has made stricter immigration enforcement a core objective, with deportations set to continue despite ongoing controversy.