Overview

• Germany's legally binding admission program for at-risk Afghans has guaranteed entry for approximately 2,600–2,800 individuals, with three flights scheduled this month.
• The program, initiated in October 2022, has fallen short of its original goal of 18,000 arrivals, with only 964 individuals resettled by late 2024.
• Union politicians, including Armin Schuster, have condemned the outgoing government's continuation of the flights, citing security concerns and integration challenges.
• Critics argue that the program strains local resources and allege insufficient security checks for some incoming individuals, though the government maintains that all arrivals are thoroughly vetted.
• The incoming government under Friedrich Merz is expected to halt future flights and end voluntary admission programs, raising uncertainty for those with pending guarantees.