Increase in deportations observed in Germany
In recent years, Germany has seen an increase in the number of deportations, with over 20,000 people being deported in 2024, as compared to just under 13,000 in 2022. This trend continues in 2025, with over 12,000 people already being deported in the first half of the year.
Mert Sayim, a refugee, migration, and integration advisor for Diakonie Rheinland Westfalen Lippe, is one of the advocates pushing for transparency in the deportation process. He often observes deportations at airports in North Rhine-Westphalia, particularly in Duesseldorf.
One case documented by Sayim involved a child who had recently undergone heart surgery being deported without a medically required follow-up examination. Such instances highlight the need for a more careful approach to deportations, especially when health risks are involved. According to Diakonie's report, if there are significant health risks, deportation should be suspended.
The report also recommends evaluating each individual sick person's case to determine if they have access to necessary medical care in the destination country. This is particularly important given that key asylum countries like Pakistan, Iran, and Nigeria do not yet have readmission agreements with the European Union, which are being established with Germany, several Balkan countries, Algeria, and Morocco, among others.
Pastor Rafael Nikodemus from Diakonie Rheinland Westfalen Lippe also advocates for transparency, calling for the entire deportation process to be observable, including pick-ups from residence and flights. Sayim echoes this sentiment, suggesting that regulations for observing deportations have been mandatory under EU directive since 2008.
Chief Inspector Andrea Hoffmeister from the federal police headquarters has emphasized that all officers involved in deportations have been trained and there are special rooms set up at the airport for families and children. However, deportations are rarely suspended for health reasons.
The federal police, responsible for border security, and Diakonie have been working together in North Rhine-Westphalia for a long time. In 2024, there were 329 new cases in North Rhine-Westphalia where individuals in danger of being deported were offered asylum in a church, according to Pastor Nikodemus.
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt of the Christian Social Union has invited counterparts from Austria, Denmark, France, Czech Republic, and Poland to coordinate their positions. He is pushing for further tightening of deportation rules, a stance shared by Germany and other countries.
For updates on German politics and society, consider subscribing to the weekly email newsletter, Berlin Briefing. Safety on board for all passengers is a priority, even if it means pilots refusing to fly if deportees are aggressive. As the debate on deportations continues, calls for transparency and individual care remain at the forefront.
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