Federal Government Eases Restrictions on Afghan Deportations
Berlin, July 22, 2026 – The German federal government has paved the way for an increase in deportations to Afghanistan, extending the scope beyond individuals with criminal records or those considered dangerous. According to information from the Hessian Ministry of Interior, the federal police have announced the lifting of previous restrictions regarding the presentation of Afghan nationals for identification purposes.
Hessian Interior Minister Roman Poseck (CDU) confirmed that the federal government has created the conditions “for regular deportations of individuals obligated to leave the country to Afghanistan to be possible in the future.” While Hessen’s focus will remain on deporting criminals and those deemed dangerous, Poseck stated that “Hessen will also make use of further possibilities.”
Identification Process with Taliban Representatives
The identification process mentioned in the decree involves preparing for deportations by working with representatives of the Islamist Taliban government. The aim is to clarify the identity of individuals obligated to leave the country and, if necessary, to issue travel documents. According to the Hessian decree, there are now only a few exceptions to this procedure. However, the selection criteria remain: male, adult, single, and legally obliged to leave the country.
The federal government’s cooperation with the Islamist Taliban has drawn criticism, which Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) recently dismissed. The Federal Police were initially unavailable for comment, and the Federal Ministry of Interior also did not immediately comment. Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) had reiterated on Monday his intention to accelerate deportations to countries like Afghanistan, specifically referencing criminals in light of a fatal attack on a student in Trier.
Criticism from Refugee Councils and Human Rights Advocates
The Hessian Refugee Council expressed concern about the expansion of the eligible group for deportation. “We fundamentally reject deportations to Afghanistan,” the organization stated. “To now drop all restrictions that previously existed and thus also release non-convicted Afghans for deportation is irresponsible.” Clara Bünger, a Left Party interior politician, commented that deportations to Afghanistan are gradually being normalized. “In my view, this violates human rights protection provisions.”
Hessian Interior Minister Poseck, however, emphasized that anyone obligated to leave the country must do so. “The obligation to leave the country is also only at the end of a long rule-of-law procedure,” the CDU politician explained. A spokesperson for the Bavarian Ministry of Interior added: “Anyone who does not have the right to stay or violates applicable laws in Germany must leave our country.” The repatriation of criminals and dangerous individuals has the highest priority, but rejected asylum seekers who are not in danger must also leave Germany.
