Sachsen-Anhalt to open secondary migration center in Halberstadt

The German state of Sachsen-Anhalt will open a secondary migration center in Halberstadt on August 28. Located on the grounds of the state's central asylum seeker reception center, the facility will provide 150 places specifically for single men for whom other EU member states are responsible for their asylum procedures.

Interior Minister Tamara Zieschang stated that the center aims to send a clear signal that asylum applications must be made in the first country of entry and processed there, noting that “further travel within the European Union is not worthwhile.” The initiative is an instrument of the new Common European Asylum System (GEAS), which came into effect in June 2026 to facilitate faster asylum procedures and prevent unauthorized movement within the EU.

The center will utilize existing accommodations, which will be demarcated by a fence. While the state noted that migrants' freedom of movement may be restricted by official orders under the Asylum Act, the ministry emphasized that this does not constitute deprivation of liberty. Monthly security costs are estimated at approximately 14,000 euros, with one-time construction costs around 19,000 euros. The goal is to facilitate the swift return of individuals to the responsible EU member states, utilizing both voluntary departure and potential reductions in benefits for non-compliance.