German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s new coalition government approved policy changes for the country’s migration program related to citizenship and family reunification.
Key Changes
- The government would restrict family reunification for people in Germany through ‘subsidiary protection,’ which is a form of humanitarian protection for people who do not qualify for asylum. While family protection is considered a right under various human rights regimes, the German government is contending that the number of people is overwhelming their immigration and integration system.
- The government will end the ‘fast-track’ path to citizenship. Previously, people who could illustrate that they were rapidly integrating into German society would be offered a pathway to naturalize after three years instead of five years.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
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