Germany Considers Allowing Syrian Refugees One-Time Visits to Homeland
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser proposes a special rule for Syrian refugees to explore the possibility of safe return without losing their protection status in Germany.
- German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has suggested a one-time exemption for Syrian refugees to visit their home country without risking their refugee protection status.
- The proposal aims to allow refugees to assess conditions in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad, including checking on family members and property.
- Critics, including members of the FDP and CSU, argue that such a policy could be misused and may undermine the integrity of the asylum system.
- The Interior Ministry, in collaboration with the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, is exploring pragmatic ways to implement this exemption without requiring legal changes.
- Current law mandates that refugees risk losing their protection status if they travel to their home country, with few exceptions for urgent family or humanitarian reasons.
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