Germany deportation scandal involves 471 Western Balkan migrants

A controversy has emerged regarding the ‘Kosfeld List,’ a document identifying 471 migrants from the Western Balkans who are subject to deportation from Germany. The Central Immigration Authority (ZAB) in Kosfeld offered assistance to the city of Cologne in 2024 to obtain replacement travel documents to facilitate these deportations, but the city declined the help.

Reports indicate that 152 individuals on the list are allegedly linked to a total of 568 criminal offenses. Among those listed is a 16-year-old Bosnian citizen named Elvis, who was reportedly involved in a violent street conflict in Cologne’s Mülheim district in early August. The incident involved gunfire and stabbings, resulting in multiple injuries. Although the teenager had a temporary residence permit, he was simultaneously under an obligation to leave the country.