Cologne deportation scandal: 568 crimes linked to failed removals

New data has emerged regarding the deportation scandal in Cologne involving the so-called ‘Coesfeld list’. Reports indicate that approximately 152 individuals from a list of roughly 500 people required to leave the country have allegedly committed 568 criminal offenses since autumn 2024.

The controversy stems from the Cologne Immigration Office's handling of a November 2024 offer from the Central Immigration Authority (ZAB) in Coesfeld. While the ZAB offered to provide necessary substitute travel documents to facilitate deportations, only the department for residency rights responded, ultimately declining the offer on the grounds that non-governmental social workers were already assisting the candidates. Other departments, such as those responsible for return management, reportedly failed to respond to the offer entirely.

As a result of these administrative hurdles, only five individuals from the list have been successfully deported. Currently, 218 of the 500 listed individuals are enrolled in the city's residency rights program, which aims to help long-term tolerated persons obtain residence permits. The situation has drawn significant criticism from the North Rhine-Westphalia Ministry of Migration and regional political leaders.