Germany halts refugee arrivals under EU resettlement program

Germany has been a participant in the European Union's resettlement programme aimed at providing refuge to individuals vulnerable to persecution and violence. As of now, the country has welcomed 942 refugees in 2025 from various countries, including Syria, Sudan, South Sudan, Congo, and Eritrea. This year marks a pivotal change in policy since a new government coalition emerged on May 7, 2025. Following this change, German authorities indicated that they would no longer accept further arrivals. The German Interior Ministry pointed out that the coalition agreement between the conservative Christian Democrats, the Christian Social Union, and the Social Democrats proposes winding down humanitarian admission programmes as much as possible. While previously the focus was on humanitarian responsibilities, the new regime has shifted its stance, examining procedures to limit ongoing resettlement initiatives. Despite the ongoing discussions on illegal border crossings, members of the parliament, such as Desiree Becker from The Left party, have criticized the government for neglecting its humanitarian duties and closing safe routes for vulnerable individuals seeking asylum in Germany. Becker's statements highlight a growing concern among opposition members regarding the implications of these policy changes amidst a backdrop of rising anti-immigrant sentiment across various European nations. The resettlement programme previously operated with support from the United Nations Refugee Agency, responsible for identifying particularly at-risk individuals for potential acceptance in member states. Under this arrangement, German officials conduct interviews and security checks before refugees arrive, without needing to submit an asylum application upon entry. Germany has pledged to provide a total of 13,100 places for refugees for the years 2024 and 2025, including humanitarian admissions for Syrian refugees from Turkey, as part of an EU-Turkey agreement established in 2016. However, ongoing policy changes raise questions about the future of such humanitarian efforts.