May 24, 2025 11:13 pm
Full News

Germany Suspends UN Refugee Resettlement Program

Germany, the largest economy in the European Union, will temporarily not accept any new refugees under the United Nations refugee resettlement program. This information was reported by the German news agency DPA on Tuesday (April 8), citing the German Ministry of the Interior and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

The news agency Reuters contacted the ministry to learn the reason behind the suspension. However, no official from the Interior Ministry was willing to comment immediately. Reuters also attempted to get a response from the UNHCR but did not receive any comment.

Immigration Playing a Key Role in Government Formation

Germany held parliamentary elections on February 23 this year. Immigration was one of the most discussed topics in the country’s politics during this election. In recent years, several violent attacks in Germany have been linked to refugees and asylum seekers. As a result, the anti-immigration far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) performed well in the elections, securing the second-highest number of votes.

Even after the elections, immigration continues to be a hot topic in Germany. The conservative CDU/CSU, which received the most votes, is in talks to form a coalition government with the Social Democrats, who came in third. Immigration has become a major issue in these discussions as well.

To control irregular immigration, Germany introduced border controls with nine neighboring countries starting from September 16 last year. The government has decided to maintain these controls until September 15 this year. The CDU/CSU wants to send back asylum seekers coming from so-called “safe countries” right at the border. This issue is also under debate.

Although the government formation talks have not yet concluded, the two potential coalition partners have reached consensus on some issues. According to a document seen by Reuters, they have agreed not to launch any new refugee resettlement programs. Moreover, the two parties’ top leaders have also agreed to shut down existing resettlement programs as much as possible.

The Interior Ministry stated that as part of the EU’s resettlement program, Germany had initially planned to accept 6,560 refugees this year. Under this program, refugees or stateless people from countries such as Egypt, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Pakistan, and Libya are usually given shelter.

Asylum Applications Decline in Germany

Germany is no longer the top country for asylum applications in the EU. In the first three months of this year, France and Spain surpassed Germany in the number of asylum applications, according to a secret document from the EU, reported by the German daily Welt am Sonntag on Monday (April 7).

From January to March, more asylum applications were filed in France and Spain than in Germany. Eurostat’s February data also reflected this trend. In February this year, 12,775 new asylum applications were filed in Germany, while France received the highest with 13,065 applications and Spain was second with 12,975.

Germany’s Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) reported on April 7 that the number of first-time asylum applications from January to March decreased by nearly 45% compared to 2024. As in previous years, most asylum seekers are from Syria, Afghanistan, and Turkey.

BAMF also noted that at least 41,000 asylum applications were filed in Germany during the first three months of this year. However, the agency did not publish data from other EU countries.

In March alone, fewer than 9,000 applications were submitted. This is the first time in several years that the monthly total has dropped below 10,000.

Even last year, Germany topped the list for asylum applications. In 2024, the country received 250,615 asylum applications. Spain came in second with 166,175, and Italy followed with 158,605 applications.


Related News
Escalation in Conflict: Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil Refineries Amid Ongoing Drone Warfare
FDA Approves Innovative Non-Opioid Painkiller Journavx
Rebecca Ferguson Rejects The Greatest Showman Sequel Idea
Israel Expands Operations in Gaza to Dismantle Hamas, Free Hostages
U.S. Shutting Down Over 100 Foreign Offices Globally
Narendra Modi Honored with Sri Lanka’s Highest Civilian Award
Related Posts
Hindu Homes Burn as Mob Strikes Back—Fear Grows Under Yunus’s Track in Bangladesh
Police Helicopter Crash in Thailand Leaves Three Dead
Border Czar Tom Homan’s Security Detail Costs U.S. Taxpayers $1 Million Monthly
Lower Prices Drive Surge in U.S. New Home Sales, but Outlook Remains Uncertain
China Mediates as Pakistan and Afghanistan Move Toward Restoring Diplomatic Ties Amid Regional Shifts
Europe Must Learn the Art of ‘Unpowering’ Russia
More News

Over 1,000 Killed in Syria, Including 700+ Civilians

Clashes between Syrian security forces and supporters of former President Bashar al-Assad have led to the deaths of more than 1,000 people, including over 700 civilians. According to a report by the British media outlet BBC on Sunday (March 9), citing a war monitoring group, continued violence along Syria’s coast has resulted in significant civilian […]

Trump to Sign Order to Shut Down the U.S. Department of Education Today: White House

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order to shut down the Department of Education on Thursday, March 20, local time. This move aligns with his key election campaign promise. According to reports from Reuters and AFP, the White House has confirmed that Trump will sign the long-anticipated order, fulfilling a major […]

Mark Zuckerberg Ends Meta’s Fact-Checking Program, Embraces Free Expression

SAN FRANCISCO – In November 2016, as Facebook faced criticism for spreading fake news and conspiracy theories during Donald Trump’s first election, co-founder Mark Zuckerberg wrote an apologetic post. He announced steps to tackle misinformation on Facebook, including working with fact-checkers. Eight years later, Zuckerberg is no longer apologizing. On January 7, he announced that […]

Iran executes targeted strikes on Iran

Israel Executes “Targeted Strikes” on Iran; Explosions Reported Near Tehran Israel launched early Saturday strikes aimed at what it identifies as military facilities in Iran. Explosions were reported in Tehran, with similar blasts also heard in Karaj, located northwest of the capital. New Delhi: Israel has carried out targeted strikes on Iran, stating that these […]

Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Could Exceed 10,000: USGS Survey

A powerful earthquake in Myanmar has already claimed over a thousand lives. However, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) predicts that the death toll could surpass 10,000. On Friday, March 28, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, devastating airports, bridges, and highways. The tremor also shook neighboring Thailand, causing extensive damage and casualties there as well. […]

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey Adaptation Set for July 2026 Release

Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated upcoming project, The Odyssey, has been officially confirmed. The film is an adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek epic, The Odyssey, which follows the adventures of Odysseus, King of Ithaca, as he faces numerous challenges while trying to return home after the Trojan War. This adaptation, set to be released on July […]

Trump Endorses Mike Johnson for Continued Tenure as House Speaker

US President-elect Donald Trump has thrown his support behind Representative Mike Johnson to retain his position as House Speaker, just ahead of the upcoming vote set for Friday, marking the commencement of the 119th congressional session.Johnson’s role has been under scrutiny since he collaborated with Democrats on a bipartisan funding plan, leading to internal party […]

The Pakistan Army Returns to Bangladesh in February: India Concerned Over Security

The Pakistan Army is set to return to Bangladesh in February 2025, marking the first time since it was expelled from what was then East Pakistan in 1971. This development raises significant security concerns for India. Amidst diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh following the ousting of the Sheikh Hasina government, the Pakistan military’s new […]

DeSantis Announces Special Session to Align Florida with Trump’s Immigration Agenda

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has called for a special legislative session to implement President-elect Donald Trump’s immigration policies during his first 100 days in office. Speaking at a press conference, DeSantis announced that the session would begin the week of January 27, shortly after Trump’s inauguration on January 20. “With the next president taking office […]

U.S. Initiates Investigation Against 45 Universities Over Racial Discrimination

The U.S. Department of Education has launched an investigation into 45 universities over allegations of racial discrimination and bias against white American students. In a statement on Thursday, Education Secretary Linda McMahon said, “We want to ensure that U.S. universities remain free from racism and discrimination, and this investigation is part of that effort.” The […]