Germany has announced the immediate termination of its Afghan refugee resettlement program, withdrawing earlier commitments and preventing hundreds of Afghans from entering the country, citing security concerns and a shift in political priorities.
According to German broadcaster DW News, the decision cancels all previous assurances made to Afghan refugees. As a result, at least 640 Afghan nationals currently waiting in Pakistan for relocation to Germany will no longer be permitted to enter.
A spokesperson for Germany’s Interior Ministry, Sonja Kock, confirmed that Afghans who had been promised admission would soon be informed that there was “no longer any political interest in their admission.” She said resettlement options for Afghan refugees have effectively come to an end, reflecting a broader policy shift away from migration programs.
The move follows a coalition agreement between Germany’s ruling parties — the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Christian Social Union (CSU), and the Social Democrats — to dismantle Afghan resettlement schemes “as far as possible.” Chancellor Friedrich Merz has supported stricter migration controls, pointing to security concerns and crimes involving Afghan refugees.
This marks a significant departure from the policies adopted after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 2021, when Germany pledged asylum to vulnerable groups, including women’s rights activists, journalists, lawyers, and political opponents. These commitments were made through the so-called “human rights” and “bridging” admission lists.
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt later described these pledges as “legacy issues” from the previous government and moved to reverse them.
For the first time, Germany’s resettlement program for Afghan local staff who worked with German institutions has also been affected. Aid group Kabul-Luftbrücke reported that around 130 former local staff members and their families were informed by email that their admission had been cancelled. The message, sent by Germany’s development agency GIZ, cited a lack of legal grounds under the Residence Act without providing further explanation.
Kock confirmed that of the remaining 220 local staff cases, only 90 may still qualify for admission. Dobrindt said Germany would honor legally binding commitments where they exist, stressing that all admissions remain subject to security checks.
Since 2021, Germany has admitted around 4,000 Afghan local staff and nearly 15,000 family members. However, uncertainty now surrounds the fate of those still stranded in Pakistan, where some fear deportation to Afghanistan.
Legal action has become the last remaining option for many. Kabul-Luftbrücke said 84 lawsuits against the German government have succeeded so far, while nearly 200 more cases are pending.
Human rights groups have warned that prolonged delays are causing severe psychological distress. More than 250 organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Pro Asyl, have urged German authorities to honor their commitments and evacuate endangered Afghan families without further delay.
