Dealing with the Refugee Crisis: The Recent Asylum Law Reforms in Germany – From Asylum Procedure Acceleration to Fostering Integration

Abstract

In 2015 and 2016, more than one million asylum seekers came to Germany. The German legislator reacted toward this unforeseen wave of immigration with a series of asylum and residence law reforms. On the one hand, it accelerated asylum procedures, shortened services for asylum seekers, stipulated residence obligations and simplified deportations. On the other hand, it created incentives for the asylum seekers’ integration into German society, namely by simplifying the access to the labor market and by increasing the possibilities to stay in Germany when the application for asylum has been rejected.

Keywords: refugee crisis, asylum law reform, application for asylum, registration document, safe countries of origin, residence regulations, services for asylum seekers, restoration of passports, integration courses, access to labor market, residence acquiescence, permanent residence permit, depor