Germany Halts Afghan Admissions, Critics Decry Policy as Inhumane and Risky
January 20, 2026
Germany has revoked admission commitments for many Afghan nationals who were in Pakistan, with 788 already arriving in Germany since last May and about 410 still in the pipeline or awaiting decisions.
The policy centers on Paragraph 22 of the Residence Act, with the Human Rights List including journalists, judges, and others deemed at particular risk.
(redacted)
The report includes a brief 27-second video update with a timestamp, signaling a fast-moving development cycle.
Kabul-based NGO Kabul Luftbrücke warns that Taliban arrests and data collection at a guesthouse could worsen safety for residents if control is tightened.
Government responses to a Bundestag inquiry indicate that security concerns are being addressed through hearings, leaving only a handful of cases pending.
After a change of government in Berlin, immigration was tightened, leaving Afghans who fled to Pakistan stranded; opposition voices accuse the move of abandoning those in need and question the thoroughness of security checks.
In May, the new government paused intake programs for Afghans; hundreds who had offers still arrived and underwent security checks, while hundreds more were denied entry.
Opposition politicians and human rights advocates frame the changes as a humanitarian and political controversy over honoring prior promises and the treatment of vulnerable Afghan applicants.
The story appears on Welt.de as a news brief, focusing on policy impact on Afghan asylum seekers slated for relocation.
Critics argue Berlin cannot absolve itself of responsibility and risk Afghans falling back under Taliban rule, describing the situation as inhumane.
Personal security hearings are largely complete, with only a few cases unresolved, and officials say there is no political interest in restoring the resettlement offers.
Summary based on 9 sources
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News feed at Inbox.lv • Jan 20, 2026
Half of Afghans Have Had Their Entry Permits to Germany Revoked