BAMF Sends Protection Revocation Letters to Syrians, 13 October
Published · Updated
The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) has started sending Syrians in Germany written decisions that withdraw their protection status. According to reports published on Tuesday 13 October, the 16-page letter contains three decisions: the recognised refugee status is withdrawn, subsidiary protection is not granted, and no bans on deportation under the Residence Act apply. The reports say those affected so far are mainly people who came to the attention of the police, or who travelled to Syria and then returned to Germany.
The letter gives the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024 and the end of the civil war as its reason. BAMF cites figures from the UN refugee agency showing that more than 1.54 million people returned to Syria voluntarily between the change of power and spring 2026. It also states that a return is reasonable despite shortages of food, housing and energy. The letter itself does not threaten deportation, because BAMF is not responsible for that step, according to the reports.
The letters fit a clear trend. In the federal government's answer to a parliamentary question, 23.2 percent of 8,320 BAMF reviews of Syrian refugees in the first half of 2026 ended with protection revoked or withdrawn. The figure was 3.7 percent in 2025 and 3.1 percent in 2024. Since mid-June the reviews also cover refugees who are not considered especially vulnerable and who are expected to support themselves in Syria or to have family support there. Deportations to Syria remain rare: three took place in the first half of 2026.
Pro Asyl rejects the approach. Spokesperson Nora Brezger said: "Syria does not become safe just because the government wants to deport people there." Lawyers report a clear rise in court challenges. Earlier notices gave recipients two weeks to file a challenge, so anyone who receives such a letter should check the deadline written in it and get legal advice quickly. A decision of this kind is not the same as an immediate deportation.
More Germany news
- Mercedes-Benz Halts Investment in German Plants and Weighs Closures
- Housing Benefit Cut Dropped: 1.3 Million Households Keep Wohngeld
- Align Technology unveils new innovations for Invisalign treatment
- Large Solar Park in Merbitz Feeds Electricity into the Grid
- Nvidia shares fall sharply: How safe is pension money?
- Telekom baut Rechenzentrum für Industrie und KI aus
- Autonomous Buses to Enter Everyday Life: TUM Leads New DZM Site
- Cigarettes from the EU Abroad: Duty-Free Allowance Not Dropping for Now