Friedrich Merz’s immigration policies face criticism in new global report

Key Takeaways

• Germany’s new immigration policies tighten border controls and suspend family reunification, criticized in the Global Forced Displacement Report.
• Experts say hardline tactics won’t stop displaced persons; legal pathways must remain to prevent dangerous irregular migration.
• Legal and human rights concerns arise as policies risk violating German Basic Law and EU asylum protections.

Germany’s immigration policies have come under sharp criticism following the release of a major new analysis, the “Global Forced Displacement Report.” This report, led by Benjamin Etzold from the Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies, examines the changes introduced by Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government. According to the findings, these new policies are not fitting the complex realities of global migration today and could even make the situation worse in some cases.

The Main Arguments of the “Global Forced Displacement Report”

The “Global Forced Displacement Report” highlights several concerns about recent decisions made by Friedrich Merz and his team. The report argues that Germany’s refugee and migration policies fall short when it comes to dealing with the rising numbers of people displaced around the world. Etzold and his co-authors say that Germany’s current approach pays too much attention to the effects of migration inside Germany, while ignoring the larger picture—including humanitarian needs and global responsibilities.

One of the strongest criticisms is that key measures, such as tighter border controls and turning back asylum seekers, are not as effective as many may believe. The report points out that people fleeing danger or hardship are rarely stopped by these actions. Instead, many try to enter again and again until they succeed. In short, experts featured in the report suggest that “hard line” tactics are not working as a solid solution.

Looking Closely at Specific Policy Changes

Several steps taken by the Merz government are being questioned by the report:

• Suspending Family Reunification: The government wants to halt programs that help families join their loved ones who have already found safety in Germany. However, restricting these legal ways to migrate is seen as having serious side effects. Without an option to come legally, people may choose unsafe and illegal routes. This, in turn, can make migration far more dangerous for everyone involved.
• Scaling Back Humanitarian Pathways: By closing off programs that allow people in need to enter Germany for humanitarian reasons, the government risks pushing more desperate people into unsafe conditions. According to Etzold, when people have no safe, legal choice, “they will look for other, riskier ways to arrive.”
  – Stricter Controls and Deportations: Merz’s administration is adding more capacity to detain people waiting for deportation, broadening the definition of “safe countries” suitable for return, and making it easier to send unsuccessful asylum seekers back. Laws have also been changed to end the requirement for legal assistance before people are sent away, and there is an increase in permanent or semi-permanent border checks, done together with European Union partners.

The Legal and Human Rights Angle

Petra Bendel, a respected academic from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, has spoken out strongly about these policy changes. She warns that by blocking asylum seekers from entering at the border, Germany could be breaking both its own Basic Law and laws set by the European Union. “If you put politics ahead of these laws, then you are opening the door to despotism,” she says, meaning that giving up on fair legal processes for migrants could threaten the legal system itself.

Both the report and other migration experts point out that core rights—like the right to seek asylum—are built into German law and cannot simply be ignored for the sake of quick political wins. In their view, any migration policies must always follow the rule of law rather than simply responding to political shifts or public pressure.

What Sparked the Policy Shift?

The report places these strict new moves within the broader setting of German politics. Friedrich Merz’s government took office during a time when voter frustration about migration was on the rise. Parties like Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), who favor much tougher rules, have gained ground. To answer this pressure, Merz’s party chose to take a stronger public stance.

Big changes made by the government include:

• Expanding the ability to detain people who are waiting to be deported.
• Stopping family reunification and certain humanitarian entry paths.
• Updating the list of “safe” countries where people can be sent back.
• Tougher rules for who can stay in Germany and when people are deported.
• Ending the requirement for free legal advice before sending people back.
• Stronger border checks, done together with other European Union countries.
• Canceling some citizenship rules that made it easier for long-term residents to become German.
• Giving more powers to the police in connection with migrants.
• Using more digital tools to watch for illegal arrivals.

These steps, according to the government, are meant to solve the problems that worry many German voters, such as security or pressure on public services.

Common Criticisms: Doubts About Effectiveness

Despite the tough talk, experts question if these new policies actually solve the bigger challenges. The “Global Forced Displacement Report” highlights several common criticisms, including:

• Border Controls Do Not Stop Migration: When borders tighten, most people do not simply give up. Instead, they often try crossing multiple times. Sometimes, they pay smugglers more or risk even greater danger.
• Turning Back Asylum Seekers May Break the Law: Both German and European law protect the right to ask for asylum. By sending people back at the border, these rights could be breached.
• Cutting Legal Avenues Increases Irregular Migration: When family reunification and humanitarian paths get shut, people may be forced to use irregular routes. These paths are much more likely to expose families and individuals to harm.
• Ignoring the Bigger Picture: The focus on how migration affects German society may overlook the real reasons why people flee their countries in the first place—war, violence, or a lack of basic security at home.

Here’s a summary of the main points raised by the report, based on a table provided:

Concerns About Law and Fairness

Those writing the “Global Forced Displacement Report” warn that taking a “hard line” on migration might seem popular in the short term. However, they say it could result in breaking laws that protect people’s rights and could put Germany in a tough position with the European Union.

The rights at stake are not simply abstract ideas. German Basic Law and the European Union’s Charter of Fundamental Rights both guarantee people fleeing danger the chance to apply for asylum. If Germany turns people away without proper review, lawyers and rights watchers say the country breaks these promises.

This has led to concerns from lawyers, rights groups, and academics. They argue that these government steps push the law aside to win quick political support.

What Does the Public Think?

Much of the political shift comes from changing public opinion and pressure from far-right parties. Many German voters are worried about how migration will affect jobs, safety, and taxes. Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), a party with strict views on migration, has used these worries to build support quickly.

Instead of calming the situation, the new policies from Friedrich Merz seem to be a direct response to these fears. Supporters of the government’s plans say tighter border rules and deportations are needed to keep the country in control. They claim that if Germany does not act, the system will be overwhelmed.

However, critics—like Petra Bendel and Benjamin Etzold—say that tough measures alone are not likely to fix the situation. They point out that many root causes, like conflict or economic hardship in migrants’ home countries, need to be addressed as well.

Broader Impact—What Could Happen Next?

Migration experts, including those working with groups like the Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies, believe that focusing only on restrictions does not solve the real issues. If Germany and other countries limit legal ways for people to migrate, they may see more people coming through risky and illegal routes. This can lead to more accidents and deaths along migration paths.

Furthermore, if Germany breaks its own laws or European rules, it may end up in court. The country’s reputation for respecting rights could also be damaged in Europe and worldwide.

Germany is not alone in facing these debates. Many countries in Europe and beyond are discussing how best to manage large numbers of arrivals. The findings in the “Global Forced Displacement Report” reflect similar discussions happening in other nations, too.

The Way Forward According to Experts

According to Etzold and the report’s other authors, there are more effective ways to deal with migration. Instead of just increasing restrictions, experts recommend:

• Keeping legal paths open for refugees and their families.
• Working with other countries to help address why people are leaving their homes, such as violence or poverty.
• Making sure all policies respect German and European law, including the right to asylum.
• Including both the public and people with direct experience as refugees in the decision-making process.

The report argues that only by balancing security with fairness and legal rights can Germany hope to manage migration successfully—not just for the short term but in a lasting way.

Reliable Sources and Official Guidelines

People interested in learning more about asylum procedures and related rights in Germany can find official information on the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees website. Here, you can read facts about who qualifies for protection, what legal steps are involved, and details about current laws.

Final Thoughts

Friedrich Merz’s immigration policies continue to draw major debate. The “Global Forced Displacement Report” finds that the current government’s approach favors quick restrictions over deeper, more thoughtful solutions. Critics say that taking away legal migration paths does more harm than good, driving up the number of people seeking risky alternatives and possibly breaking important laws.

Germany now faces a tough question: Will the country seek long-term answers that respect rights, or make short-term changes aimed at immediate public opinion? The answer will shape not only Germany’s future but also its reputation as a place of fairness and law.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, Germany’s immigration choices matter not just for those already inside the country, but for millions new and old who may look to Germany for safety, stability, or a new life. For these reasons, public discussion and careful examination of all policy changes remain essential in handling today’s global displacement challenges.

Learn Today

Global Forced Displacement Report → An analysis studying forced migration and criticizing Germany’s restrictive immigration policies under Chancellor Merz.
Family Reunification → Programs allowing families of migrants already in Germany to legally join their relatives.
Asylum Seekers → People fleeing danger who apply for legal protection in another country.
Safe Countries → Nations deemed safe for deportations, enabling authorities to return migrants there more easily.
Border Controls → Government measures to regulate or restrict entry at national borders.

This Article in a Nutshell

Germany’s immigration tightening under Friedrich Merz faces criticism from experts. The Global Forced Displacement Report warns that suspending legal migration routes risks more irregular and unsafe migration, while violating important laws protecting asylum seekers and failing to address root causes of displacement adequately.
— By VisaVerge.com

Read more:

• Immigration Court sets new record for asylum decisions and denials
• US immigration authorities deport migrants to South Sudan despite court order
• ICE officials make arrests at Phoenix Immigration Court on May 21
• US Immigration Authorities Deport Migrants Despite Court Ban
• IRCC raises Francophone immigration priority despite overall cuts