Germany expands deportations of Afghans beyond criminal cases

Germany's federal and state interior ministries have removed previous limits that restricted deportations of Afghan nationals to only criminals and security threats. Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt announced an acceleration of expulsions to Afghanistan, while state ministers Roman Poseck (Hesse) and Achim Schwickert (Rhineland‑Palatinate) said the federal decree enables regular removal of anyone subject to a legal expulsion order. Local immigration offices have been urged to apply the new rules and to coordinate with Taliban officials for identity verification and travel document issuance. The policy applies to adult, single men who lack a residence permit after due legal proceedings, though officials stress that priority will still be given to offenders and dangerous individuals. Refugee advocacy groups in Hesse have voiced strong opposition to the broadened expulsions. No data on actual deportations have been released yet.