Germany has seen a significant drop in asylum applications, with the number of new requests falling to under 9,000 in the latest month, according to Bild. This represents a sharp decline compared to the previous year, with officials crediting the government’s stricter refugee policy as the main factor behind the reduction. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt praised the development, stating that the measures have effectively reduced the ‘pull factors’ and Germany’s ‘magnetic effect’ on illegal migration. The decline is part of a broader downward trend, with asylum applications falling significantly this year, and the lowest number recorded in June.
Official data highlights that Germany received around half as many asylum applications year-on-year in September and October. A total of 8,823 people applied for asylum last month, down from 19,785 in October. In September, the number of applications was 9,126, marking a 49.6% drop compared to the previous year. This indicates a consistent downward trend in asylum requests. Officials note that although five other months this year recorded ‘significantly higher’ numbers of applications, the overall trend has been clear and consistent.
The government’s approach has been influenced by recent violent crimes involving asylum seekers, including a 2024 knife attack in Solingen, where a Syrian national fatally stabbed three people and injured eight others. In February, an Afghan citizen drove a car into a trade union rally in Munich, killing two people, including a two-year-old child, and injuring at least 39 more. These incidents have prompted stricter measures to control migration. Following these events, Germany expanded border controls with its EU neighbors, citing an increase in irregular migration. The measures were extended for an additional six months in January ahead of the snap federal elections.
Berlin has also intensified its deportation efforts. In September, Bild reported that the German authorities were working on a major deal with the Taliban to create a mechanism to deport Afghans back to their home country. On Saturday, Dobrindt announced plans to launch deportations to Syria for ‘dangerous criminals’ and anyone whose applications had been rejected. The government’s efforts to reduce asylum applications have been met with a range of measures, including stricter border controls, targeted deportation initiatives, and ongoing negotiations with political entities in the region. The focus on curbing migration is seen as a key strategy in managing the country’s borders and addressing public concerns about security and integration.