Recklinghausen FDP demands transparency over deportation data

As of June 30, 2026, there are 1,481 individuals required to leave the Recklinghausen district in Germany. According to data from the North Rhine-Westphalia state government, approximately 86 percent of these individuals—1,276 people—hold a 'Duldung' (tolerated stay), which temporarily suspends deportation while the obligation to leave remains in effect.

The FDP (Free Democratic Party) has criticized the lack of clarity regarding the reasons for these stays. While 267 cases cited family or medical reasons and 192 cited missing travel documents, 817 cases were attributed to “other” or “diverse” reasons. FDP district chairman Mathias Richter argued that the state government's response was insufficient, noting a lack of information regarding the duration of these stays and the specific obstacles preventing deportations.

Between January and mid-2026, the district recorded 75 voluntary departures and 40 deportations. Richter suggested these figures indicate issues with enforcing residency laws and is calling for the responsibility for deportations to be transferred entirely to the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.