The German parliament suspends family reunification for those with subsidiary protection for two years, details of the decision
The German parliament (Bundestag) voted in favor of suspending family reunification for holders of subsidiary protection for two years, in a controversial move that represents a new tightening of immigration policy. With this decision, about 400,000 migrants living in Germany – most of them Syrians – are currently deprived of bringing their spouses and children from their home countries.
The approval came in a public vote with 444 votes in favor and 135 against. The decision only includes those with subsidiary protection, a category that does not enjoy the full rights of officially recognized refugees. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt from the CSU party stated that the decision aims to protect the capacities of the social and educational systems and the housing market from pressure, noting that the new policy also aims to weaken human trafficking networks, as it was previously sufficient for one family member to arrive in Germany for the others to follow.
Despite the reservations, the SPD approved the decision as a "political compromise." Natalie Pawlik, the government's commissioner for migration and integration, emphasized that the debate on immigration should focus on opportunities rather than negatives, stressing the importance of integration. For its part, the AfD supported the decision, with its deputy Christian Wirth considering it a "small step in the right direction," although the party acknowledged that it was insufficient. Bernd Baumann, a leader in the AfD, praised what he described as Dobrindt's adoption of the party's ideas.
The left opposition strongly criticized the decision. Clara Bünger from the Left Party described it as "an inhumane deterrence policy," while Marcel Emmerich from the Green Party considered it "a harsh decision that deprives refugees of the emotional support necessary for integration." Germany had allowed the reunification of 12,000 individuals annually from the relatives of those granted subsidiary protection. However, the government now sees tightening necessary, especially after isolated incidents of violence that were politically exploited to highlight the immigration issue during election campaigns.
Since taking office, Interior Minister Dobrinendt has begun tightening border controls and asking the police to return asylum seekers at the border if the conditions are not met. The new immigration law explicitly includes the term "limiting immigration" for the first time.