Falling number of asylums in MV: But refugee integration remains difficult!

Falling number of asylums in MV: But refugee integration remains difficult!

What is happening in the field of asylum and migration in Germany? In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the numbers of asylum seekers have dropped noticeably in 2023. Between January 1 and May 31, only 1,078 initial income were made to asylum, while 2,048 were still in the same period of the previous year. After a record high of 6,154 applications in 2021, a further decline to 4,788 asylum applications was recorded in 2024. Forecasts indicate that this tendency will continue to continue in 2025. The Ministry of the Interior attributes this decline to increased border controls on the Polish border, which have been implemented rigorously since November 2023. It is interesting that the effects of these controls are classified as not quantifiable, such as [Katapult MV] (https://katapult-mv.de/artikel/sumen-sinken-Probleme- remained.

But the numbers alone only tell part of the story. While Interior Minister Christian Pegel from the SPD emphasizes the effectiveness of the controls, there are also critical voices. The Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania refugee council expresses serious concerns about the refugee people, who are often accommodated in shared accommodation who often do not offer the optimal standard. The conditions in old barracks or fenced facilities that are not suitable for longer stays are particularly worrying. In addition, the state government's budget cuts may lead to a decline in integration projects and advice centers.

integration and education - a challenge

However, the challenges do not stop here. The waiting times for the foreigners and naturalization authorities are up to one year. This not only complicates access to important services, but also the integration of refugee people into society. The educational situation is particularly critically assessed. The new educational concept for children with non -German origin language has led to step back in educational integration. Pre -classes are often not based on a binding framework plan and are not always taught by qualified teachers. Here the Refugee Council urgently demands more money for integration measures, fewer rules and more trust and openness.

And what does the situation look like in the European context? A groundbreaking reform package for the common European asylum system (GEAS) was adopted in December 2023 by the European Commission as well as the Council and the European Parliament. This reform has been the most comprehensive change in decades and aims to create a more uniform procedure in migration policy. The aim is to standardize the registration of all protection seekers arriving at the EU external borders in a screening process and to decide asylum applications within twelve weeks. It is positive that a solidarity mechanism is introduced to relieve states with a high number of those seeking protection. However, critics express that these measures could make access to asylum procedures more difficult, as reported by the [Federal Center for Political Education] (https://www.bpb.de/kurz-knapp/intergrund-aktuell/522800/reform-des- community.

The EU Blue Card - Access for highly qualified people

Another important topic in terms of migration is the EU Blue Card, a residence and work permit for highly qualified people from non-EU countries. In 2023, around 89,000 EU Blue Cards were issued in the EU, with Germany with 69,000 cards most. This shows that Germany is attractive to highly qualified migrants. A particularly large number of EU Blue Cards went to specialists from India, which underlines the growing importance of the Indian market for the German labor market, according to the data of Eurostat.

The situation in Germany and Europe is therefore complex and shaped by different currents. While the number of asylum seekers in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is falling, the challenges in the integration and political design of migration policy are still the focus. It remains to be seen how the announced reforms and measures will affect reality on site.