German lawmakers passed a bill on Friday to tighten the country’s migration policies amidst rising far-right sentiment following deadly knife attacks in recent months.
The government’s bill aims to eliminate aid for asylum seekers who first entered another EU country, facilitate the deportation of refugees who use weapons, and grant extra powers to law enforcement.
Refugees who temporarily return to their home countries will generally lose their protection status in Germany, as will those committing antisemitic or homophobic crimes, according to the new legislation.
Under pressure from the left wing of her party, Social Democratic Interior Minister Nancy Faeser had to soften one key measure. Complete elimination of aid for asylum seekers who entered another EU country first will only be possible if their return to that country is legally and practically feasible. This measure will not apply when children are involved.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition introduced the bill in August, following a triple stabbing by a Syrian with suspected ties to the jihadist group ISIS at a festival in Solingen (western Germany).
In June, another knife attack, attributed to an Afghan at an anti-Islam rally in Mannheim (southwest), resulted in the death of a police officer.
These incidents have fuelled the rise of the far-right, anti-migrant party AfD, which won a regional election for the first time in September and achieved historic high scores in two other regions.
The bill still requires approval from the upper house of parliament on Friday to come into effect.
