Deportations from North Rhine‑Westphalia airports increase in 2025

The number of people deported via airports in North Rhine‑Westphalia (NRW) rose by about seven percent in 2025, reaching 3,216 departures from Düsseldorf Airport, the state’s main hub. Overall, 4,784 individuals were expelled from NRW, bringing Germany’s total deportations for the year to 22,787, a level comparable to the pre‑COVID‑19 period of 2019.

Human‑rights observers warned that the surge endangers the welfare of children and sick persons. Mert Sayim of the Diakonie’s deportation monitor cited cases of family separations, lack of interpreters and confiscated personal belongings, while church councilor Rafael Nikodemus described a “societal pressure” to increase expulsions. Federal Police officials said most operations are conducted professionally, though isolated incidents of misconduct were reported. The state’s authorities are developing new procedural guidelines to address identified shortcomings.