A Yazidi family of six was deported from Germany 🇩🇪 to Iraq 🇮🇶 on July 22, 2025, despite a binding emergency court order from the Potsdam Administrative Court that should have stopped their removal. The family, who had fled ISIS persecution in Iraq in 2014, had lived for years in Lychen, Brandenburg, where their four children attended school and became part of the local community. This deportation has sparked national debate, raising questions about legal process, government policy, and the safety of Yazidi survivors in Germany.
Key Events and Legal Conflict
In the early hours of July 22, police took the Yazidi family from their home and brought them to Leipzig/Halle Airport. They were placed on a flight to Baghdad as part of a group of 43 deportees. The same morning, the Potsdam Administrative Court issued an emergency injunction—case VG 16 L 845/25.A—suspending the deportation and declaring the family’s obligation to leave Germany invalid. However, the court’s decision reached the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) only after the family had already left German soil, creating what officials called a “fait accompli.”
The family’s asylum application had been rejected by BAMF in 2023. The agency argued that the family came to Germany for “better future opportunities” rather than for reasons that qualify for asylum. This legal stance was challenged by the court, which found serious doubts about the rejection and ordered the family to remain in Germany until a final decision.
Family’s asylum application rejected by BAMF
Bundestag formally acknowledged Yazidi genocide by ISIS
Emergency injunction issued by Potsdam Administrative Court
Yazidi family deported from Germany to Iraq
Proposed deadline for Yazidi protection law
Political and Policy Context
This deportation took place under the conservative government led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), with Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) pushing for stricter asylum and deportation policies. In the first half of 2025, Germany 🇩🇪 carried out 11,800 deportations, an increase of 2,300 from the previous year. The July 22 flight included mostly single men, some with criminal records, but also the Yazidi family, highlighting the government’s broader effort to remove people without residence rights.
Germany 🇩🇪 is also involved in European Union discussions about migration, border security, and the creation of repatriation centers outside the EU. Interior Minister Dobrindt has been a strong supporter of these tougher measures, arguing that they are necessary to maintain order and public trust in the asylum system.
Reactions from Officials and Civil Society
Brandenburg Interior Minister Michael Wilke expressed regret over the deportation, stating that his office had no knowledge of the court’s decision when the family was handed over to federal police. He has instructed his staff to work with federal authorities to try to bring the family back to Germany 🇩🇪, depending on the outcome of the court’s final ruling.
Nadia’s Initiative, an organization supporting Yazidi survivors, condemned the deportation as a violation of the court order. The group called for an immediate review of the case and a halt to all Yazidi deportations to Iraq 🇮🇶, pointing out the ongoing dangers in the Sinjar region and the trauma caused by forced returns. Politicians from the Social Democrats, Greens, and Left Party have also criticized the deportation, arguing that it undermines Germany’s recognition of the Yazidi genocide by ISIS, which the Bundestag formally acknowledged in 2023.
The Brandenburg Ministry of the Interior defended its actions, explaining that at the time of the handover, they had not received information about the court’s deportation ban. The order arrived only after the family had left, highlighting a breakdown in communication between state and federal authorities.
Legal and Policy Implications
This case exposes serious problems in how German 🇩🇪 authorities coordinate deportations, especially when courts issue last-minute protections. The failure to stop the family’s removal despite a binding court order has raised concerns about the rule of law and the protection of vulnerable groups.
A draft law currently under discussion would grant Yazidis who entered Germany 🇩🇪 by July 31, 2025, a three-year residence permit, regardless of their visa or financial situation. This proposal aims to provide lasting protection for Yazidi survivors, many of whom still face threats in Iraq 🇮🇶. If passed, the law could prevent similar deportations in the future and offer peace of mind to Yazidi families living in Germany 🇩🇪.
Impact on the Yazidi Family and Community
The deported family now faces an uncertain future in Iraq 🇮🇶, where the Sinjar region remains unstable and dangerous. ISIS remnants still pose a threat, and government support for displaced Yazidis is limited. The family’s forced return has shattered their sense of safety and belonging after years of building a new life in Germany 🇩🇪.
Other Yazidi families in Germany 🇩🇪 are now living in fear, worried that they too could be deported despite having survived genocide and displacement. Some have already received removal notices, adding to their trauma and insecurity. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the case has sent shockwaves through the Yazidi community and raised urgent questions about Germany’s commitment to protecting survivors of violence.
Broader Implications and Next Steps
The Brandenburg Interior Minister’s call for the family’s return offers a possible path forward, but legal and bureaucratic challenges remain. If the proposed Yazidi protection law is enacted, it would create a clear legal framework to shield Yazidi families who arrived before the July 31, 2025, deadline from deportation.
At the same time, ongoing EU discussions about migration and repatriation centers suggest that pressure for stricter enforcement will continue. Advocacy groups and opposition politicians are likely to keep pushing for stronger protections for Yazidis and other at-risk groups, even as the government maintains its tough stance on migration.
Practical Guidance and Resources
For Yazidi families and others facing similar situations, it is important to:
- Stay informed about legal changes: Monitor updates on the proposed Yazidi protection law and other relevant policies.
- Seek legal advice: Contact organizations like Nadia’s Initiative or local legal aid groups for support.
- Communicate with authorities: If you receive a deportation notice, inform your lawyer and relevant agencies immediately.
- Access official resources: The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) provides information on asylum procedures and legal rights.
Conclusion
The forced deportation of a Yazidi family from Germany 🇩🇪, despite a court order, has exposed deep problems in the country’s migration system. It highlights the need for better coordination between courts and authorities, stronger legal protections for vulnerable groups, and a careful balance between enforcement and humanitarian responsibility. As the debate continues, the fate of this family and others like them remains uncertain, but ongoing advocacy and possible legal reforms offer hope for a more just and compassionate approach.
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