Introduction
In 2024, Germany’s migration and asylum policies were shaped by mounting global migration challenges and shifting domestic political dynamics. The ruling coalition government sought to balance national security needs with international obligations; however, many of its measures sparked widespread criticism from a human rights perspective. Under the core principles of the 1951 Refugee Convention—particularly the prohibition of refoulement—and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 3 on the right to life and Article 14 on the right to seek asylum), Germany is obligated to ensure protection and fair legal proceedings for asylum seekers[1]. Likewise, Article 18 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union affirms the right to asylum, while Article 16a of Germany’s Basic Law enshrines this right domestically. This report, grounded in official sources, examines key developments in Germany’s migration policies throughout 2024.
Incidents
- Citizenship Law Reform (Einbürgerungsrecht): On 19 January 2024, the Bundestag (German Federal Parliament) passed extensive reforms to the citizenship law. The amendment allows applicants to request citizenship after five years of residence instead of eight, and eliminates the requirement to renounce prior citizenship[2]. As stated on the official German government website, from 27 June 2024, applicants for German nationality are no longer obliged to relinquish their previous nationality[3]. However, a new condition was introduced: applicants must answer questions in the citizenship test concerning antisemitism, the right of Israel to exist, and Jewish life in Germany[4]. According to the Minister of the Interior, this reflects Germany’s “special historical responsibility to protect Jews and Israel”—a clause that has triggered considerable human rights criticism. Moreover, in Saxony-Anhalt, a new regulation enacted after 2023 requires applicants to formally declare support for Israel’s right to exist. This symbolic policy marked the first instance in Germany where support for Israel was tied to naturalization eligibility[5].
- Tightened Deportation Measures: On 18 January 2024, the Bundestag approved the “Law to Improve the Deportation of Migrants without Legal Residence.” Under this legislation, pre-deportation custody (Ausreisegewahrsam) was extended from 10 to 28 days to reduce the risk of flight by deportees. Additionally, prosecutorial oversight in some deportation processes was reduced, and the requirement to give prior notice of deportation for families with children under 12 was eliminated. Border control officers were also granted expanded authority to search shared accommodation facilities (e.g., camps) and implement deportations without being impeded by legal appeals. The law especially facilitates the removal of dangerous criminals and individuals deemed threats to public security. It introduces new provisions enabling the expulsion of suspected members of criminal organizations without a formal conviction and accelerates the deportation of human traffickers[6]. In June 2024, Chancellor Scholz’s cabinet approved a bill categorizing the glorification of terrorism by non-Germans as grounds for “special deportation risk.” The Interior Minister emphasized that “anyone singing terrorist anthems should be deported immediately[7].” This move drew sharp reactions from human rights groups due to the potentially broad and subjective interpretations of what constitutes glorification of terrorism.
- Schengen Border Controls: Facing increased irregular migration and political pressure from right-wing factions, the German government reintroduced temporary border controls within the Schengen Area beginning in late 2023. For instance, from 16 September 2024, Germany reinstated controls at border crossings with France and the Netherlands (in the west), in addition to prior measures on borders with Austria, Poland, and the Czech Republic[8]. While the government framed this as a necessary measure to manage migration flows, critics argue such actions are ineffective and may fuel clandestine routes or ethnic profiling[9].
- Asylum Statistics: According to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), a total of approximately 250,945 asylum applications were submitted in 2024—reflecting a 28.7% decrease compared to 2023. This included 229,751 first-time applications and 21,194 follow-up claims, marking a 30.2% decline from the previous year[10]. The German government interpreted this drop as evidence of the efficacy of stricter policies and decreased unauthorized entries. However, analysts cautioned that the number of unregistered or undocumented migrants may have risen, escaping official statistics.
- Improved Processing and Accommodation Measures: The federal and state governments implemented various steps to expedite asylum procedures. In a joint session in June 2024, Chancellor Scholz announced the creation of over 1,100 new positions at BAMF and the allocation of an additional €300 million to accelerate processing and strengthen migrant data systems. Furthermore, the government extended exemptions on building restrictions for refugee housing through 2027 to expand accommodation capacity. It also proposed evaluating the feasibility of assessing protective status in transit countries (“protection in place”) before individuals reach German territory[11]. These efforts were aimed primarily at streamlining procedures and easing pressure on the asylum infrastructure.
Challenges and Responses
- United Nations: These developments prompted substantial reactions from international human rights institutions. The UN—especially the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights—reiterated the importance of upholding protection guarantees under evolving EU regulations. A September 2024 UNHCR Europe report noted Germany’s commitment to resettling 6,540 refugees in 2024 as part of EU programs and its ongoing efforts to adopt new European asylum frameworks[12]. Nevertheless, UNHCR and legal experts warned of potential violations of core asylum principles, notably the non-refoulement obligation. Human Rights Watch also emphasized that the 1951 Refugee Convention forbids returning individuals to countries where their life or freedom would be at risk. Any legislation that hardens deportation procedures must therefore comply with this fundamental principle.
- Human Rights Organizations and European Bodies: Amnesty International, particularly its German branch, strongly criticized recent legislative initiatives. Julia Duchrow, Secretary-General of Amnesty Germany, described right-wing-sponsored legislative proposals to restrict migration as an assault on human rights, warning that “one injustice cannot remedy another.” She stressed that such laws violate both European and international legal frameworks and would undermine Germany’s legal system and the universality of human rights if enacted[13]. Human Rights Watch further urged German authorities to reject “externalization” schemes—that is, transferring asylum procedures outside EU borders—arguing that Germany must consider such moves “illegal and unviable[14].” These concerns are echoed by European institutions, including the Council of Europe and EU entities. The European Commission oversees implementation of the Migration and Asylum Pact (adopted in April 2024) and insists all member states must adhere to common standards. The European Parliament, meanwhile, has passed hundreds of resolutions defending asylum rights. Civil society organizations and European media outlets continue to document violations and highlight a rise in anti-refugee violence, prompting renewed calls for accountability.
- Legal and Human Rights Challenges: Legal analysts argue that all new policies must align with foundational principles of refugee law. Under the 1951 Geneva Convention, Germany may not return qualifying asylum seekers to countries where they face threats to life or liberty. Article 14 of the UDHR guarantees the right to seek asylum, while Article 3 affirms the right to life and personal security. The EU Charter (Article 18) also explicitly recognizes the right to asylum. Domestic regulations must not contravene these obligations. For instance, experts have cautioned that deporting families or severely restricting access to social benefits for asylum seekers may constitute discriminatory practices and violate family rights (Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights) as well as the EU Charter’s prohibition of arbitrary detention (Article 6).
Conclusion
Germany’s 2024 asylum and migration policies reflected a dual strategy of facilitation and restriction. On one hand, the new citizenship law and accelerated processing measures signaled the government’s attempt to integrate legal migrants and address labor market needs. On the other hand, stricter deportation policies and renewed border controls underscored a political imperative to curb irregular migration. These policies, however, faced extensive criticism from human rights organizations, which consistently emphasized Germany’s international legal duty to protect asylum seekers and warned against compromising asylum rights for political expediency. Although the number of asylum applications declined, overcrowding in reception centers and the demand for secure housing remain pressing concerns. Critics argue that balancing national security and the fundamental rights of refugees must remain a priority. Analysts further caution against shifting asylum responsibilities to states such as Greece or Poland, affirming that, under the 1951 Convention, Germany cannot evade its obligations. Ultimately, the effective implementation of human rights standards—balancing domestic justice with international commitments—will remain a central challenge for German policymakers in the years ahead.
References
[1] UNHCR. (n.d.). The 1951 Refugee Convention. Retrieved May 5, 2025, from https://www.unhcr.org/about-unhcr/overview/1951-refugee-convention
[2] Aldebert, M. (2024, June 29). L’Allemagne demande aux candidats à la nationalité de reconnaître le droit de l’État d’Israël à exister. Le Figaro. Retrieved May 5, 2025, from: https://www.lefigaro.fr/international/l-allemagne-demande-aux-candidats-a-la-nationalite-de-reconnaitre-le-droit-de-l-etat-d-israel-a-exister-20240629
[3] Auswärtiges Amt. (2024, June 27). Le nouveau droit de la nationalité en vigueur depuis le 27 juin 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2025, from: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/fr/2664478-2664478
[4] Der Spiegel. (2024, January 19). Was sich durch das neue Einbürgerungsrecht ändert. Retrieved May 5, 2025, from: https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/staatsangehoerigkeitsrecht-das-aendert-sich-durch-das-neue-einbuergerungsrecht-a-fdd9fa3f-3e0d-457a-893d-aa072dd7704a
[5] Jonas, D. (2023, December 20). Bekenntnis zu Israel als Voraussetzung für Einbürgerung umstritten. MDR. Retrieved May 5, 2025, from: https://www.mdr.de/nachrichten/deutschland/politik/israel-bekenntnis-voraussetzung-einbuergerung-100.html
[6] Deutscher Bundestag. (2024). Bundestag stimmt Gesetz zur Verbesserung von Rückführungen zu. Retrieved May 5, 2025, from: https://www.bundestag.de/dokumente/textarchiv/2024/kw03-de-rueckfuehrung-986284
[7] Bundesregierung. (2024, June 24). Easing of deportation for people who glorify terrorism. Retrieved May 5, 2025, from: https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-en/federal-government/tightening-deportation-law-2294668
[8] European Council on Refugees and Exiles. (2024, October 7). Access to the territory and push backs: Germany. Retrieved May 5, 2025, from: https://asylumineurope.org/reports/country/germany/asylum-procedure/access-procedure-and-registration/access-territory-and-push-backs/
[9] Alkousaa, R. (2024, September 16). Germany brings back border checks to curb migration, experts question impact. Reuters. Retrieved May 5, 2025, from: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germanys-tighter-border-controls-take-effect-irking-neighbours-2024-09-16
[10] Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge. (2024). Das Bundesamt in Zahlen 2024 – Asyl. Retrieved May 5, 2025, from: https://www.bamf.de/SharedDocs/Anlagen/DE/Statistik/BundesamtinZahlen/bundesamt-in-zahlen-2024-asyl.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=13
[11] Bundesregierung. (2024, March 6). Taking swift action to implement migration agreements. Retrieved May 5, 2025, from: https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-en/news/refugee-policy-discussions-2264058
[12] UNHCR. (2024, September). Germany fact sheet. Retrieved May 5, 2025, from: https://www.unhcr.org/europe/sites/europe/files/2024-10/bi-annual-fact-sheet-2024-09-germany.pdf
[13] Amnesty International. (2025, January 30). Deutschland: Zustrombegrenzungsgesetz ist Angriff auf die Menschenrechte. Retrieved May 5, 2025, from: https://www.amnesty.de/pressemitteilung/deutschland-zustrombegrenzungsgesetz-menschenrechte-asyl-migration
[14] Human Rights Watch. (2024, December 18). Germany and Human Rights-Federal Elections 2025: Recommendations to Political Parties. Retrieved May 5, 2025, from: https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/12/18/germany-and-human-rights
