Germany is reviewing the residency permits of over 2,000 refugees including many Syrians who traveled to their home countries. A proposal allowing limited, conditional visits for Syrians awaits discussion amidst opposition from political parties. The government aims to balance voluntary returns with tightened asylum policies.
German authorities are now looking into the residency statuses of more than 2,000 refugees, including hundreds from Syria. This action follows the revelation that these individuals traveled back to their home countries, which the government interprets as an indication that they no longer require asylum. The decision to revoke residency permits comes under current German regulations that stipulate such actions when a refugee visits their country unless there are compelling humanitarian reasons.
The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) confirmed on Thursday that it has initiated 2,157 cases to assess the protection status of refugees who returned home between November 2024 and March 2025. Among these, over 700 were Syrian refugees. The majority of those returning were from Iraq, followed by Syria, Afghanistan, and other countries. Once BAMF is notified of a refugee’s travel, they open a “review case.” However, processing for Syrian cases is currently halted, meaning there is a backlog in their operations concerning these individuals.
On a related note, a government spokesperson recently announced a new plan allowing Syrian refugees to visit their homeland without losing residency status—but this is conditional. Starting from restricted conditions, these visits are meant to facilitate preparations for voluntary return to Syria. Although the Ministry of the Interior acknowledges the right to understand the situation back home, they stress that travel must be registered with proper authorities ahead of time and exclusively for this preparatory purpose. As of now, this plan is still in discussion stages, with no implementation date set.
However, this plan faces backlash from the Christian Social Union (CSU), expected to lead the Ministry of the Interior soon. Bavaria’s Interior Minister, Joachim Herrmann, heavily criticized the proposal, describing it as a means for what he calls holiday travel disguised as essential exploratory visits. Herrmann stated concerns about potential unrestricted travel between Syria and Germany countering existing federal laws that revoke protection status upon return to the refuge’s home country.
Calls have been made for a coordinated European approach, as Herrmann raises concerns about maintaining prevalent social benefits during these trips and suggests that it may create an assumption that state resources fund travel abroad. The new coalition, anticipated to tighten asylum policies, is considering measures such as increasing deportations to Syria, targeting criminals and those posing security risks.
To date, the Interior Ministry has reported that 464 Syrian refugees have opted for a voluntary return to their homeland since the regime change in Syria, with the government providing financial support. In 2024 alone, 87 Syrians returned under this voluntary program, with 31 reported returns already in 2025. Financial aid, which can reach up to 4,000 euros per family, covers travel as well as basic support for reintegration back home—part of the strategy to reduce the number of Syrian refugees in Germany, while many await clear guidelines about visiting their families without jeopardizing their asylum status.
In conclusion, Germany is reevaluating the residency of thousands of refugees based on their recent trips back to their countries, primarily affecting the Syrian population. A new proposal allowing limited visits under strict conditions for preparation of voluntary returns is controversial and opposed by significant political factions. Meanwhile, efforts continue to support those returning while balancing increasingly stringent asylum policies, showcasing the complexities surrounding refugee status in the current political landscape.
Original Source: www.jordannews.jo
