“Refugees living in Germany should avoid traveling to their homeland, as this could change their legal status”: Federal Commissioner for Migration
The world we live in is becoming increasingly complex, especially in the context of migration. Refugees fleeing conflict, persecution and danger often find refuge in countries such as Germany, where they are granted legal status and protection. However, with this comes a difficult and at the same time delicate question: what happens when refugees who have received protection in a new country decide to return to their homeland, even for a short time?
Federal Commissioner for Migration Joachim Stamp stated, that refugees living in Germany should avoid traveling to their homeland, as this could change their legal status, writes Spiegel.
“Germany must remain open to the world, but not stupid. The authorities must ensure that people who have applied for protection here but are on leave in their own country immediately lose their protection status and can no longer stay in Germany. Period.”, – he warned.
In a world where interpersonal ties and cultural belonging are of great importance, the decision to return to one’s homeland can be determined not only by the desire to visit relatives or resolve personal issues, but also by trying to find a balance between the past and the present. However, according to Joachim Stamp, such actions can have serious legal consequences for refugees, who should not forget that their status in Germany was granted on the basis of the danger they faced in their homeland. Could a short-term return to the homeland mean that the danger has passed? And should Germany allow such refugees to retain their legal status if they decide to go to the country they fled?
Joachim Stamp’s statement about the need to review the legal status of refugees who decide to temporarily return to their homeland caused a stir in German society. According to the commissioner, such actions contradict the very essence of the refugee status, which provides for protection from dangers in the native country. He emphasized that Germany should remain open and ready to provide help to those who really need it, but at the same time the country should not be naive. The authorities must ensure that people who have applied for protection and been granted refugee status, but decide to spend their holidays in their homeland, lose this status immediately and can no longer stay in Germany.
Stamp’s position has received support from the German government, which believes that consistency and clarity on migration issues are crucial to maintaining confidence in the refugee protection system. According to Stamp, the government, together with local authorities and federal states, should develop effective mechanisms to prevent cases of abuse of refugee status.
The topic became even more relevant after the German TV channel RTL published a story about travel agencies in Hamburg that reportedly organize trips to Afghanistan for local people from that country. This issue became especially acute in connection with possible trips to the Hindu Kush mountains, which became a reason for discussions in political and social circles. Hamburg’s interior senator Andy Grothe stressed that the availability of tourist routes to Afghanistan calls into question the legality of asylum seekers and also opens up opportunities for repatriation.
However, on the other hand, this question carries serious ethical challenges. For example, in cases where refugees return to their homeland to visit seriously ill relatives or to solve other urgent personal matters, the question arises: is it justified to deprive them of their protection status? After all, it can have catastrophic consequences for them if the situation at home worsens.
Governments of refugee-protecting countries are therefore faced with the need to find a delicate balance between ensuring the safety of their citizens and maintaining the humanity and support of those in real need. This is an issue that requires a comprehensive approach and consideration of various factors, including possible abuses of refugee status, but also the real needs of people fleeing from danger.
While Germany is looking for answers to these difficult questions, other countries are also facing similar challenges. The answer to this question cannot be unequivocal, because each case is unique and requires careful analysis and an individual approach.
