BERLIN (dpa-AFX) – Before the asylum summit held by Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the Prime Minister, the German Association of Cities pointed out massive problems in the accommodation and integration of refugees. “Many people are still staying in exhibition halls or tents, including families with children,” warned the president of the municipal umbrella association and mayor of Münster, Markus Lewe (CDU). The states would have to create significantly more places in their facilities. The federal government also has to build up its own accommodation capacities for initial reception. When it comes to integrating the many refugee children and young people, the cities are also urgently dependent on the support of the federal states, Lewe told the German Press Agency. “There is a lack of school and daycare places, language courses and, above all, staff,” he added.
The Chancellor and the Prime Minister want to discuss this Wednesday how to overcome current challenges in migration and asylum policy. At their last meeting in November, Scholz agreed with the heads of government of the federal states that from 2024 the federal government would pay an annual flat rate of 7,500 euros for every person who applies for asylum in Germany for the first time. Adjusting the funds to the number of asylum seekers was a milestone, said the President of the Association of Cities. However, the current amount is not enough to cover the expenses. Lewe demanded that the federal government “need to step up its game again,” particularly when it comes to integration. The states are called upon to pass on as much of the federal funding as possible to the municipalities. This is not the case everywhere. In addition, the federal government should again fully cover the costs of accommodation for refugees.
The president of the municipal umbrella association would also like to see more speed in reducing legal hurdles for asylum seekers willing to work and in repatriating asylum seekers who are obliged to leave the country and have no prospect of staying. “It is important to us that asylum seekers who are assigned to the cities are allowed to work immediately – regardless of their residence status,” said Lewe. This is not yet the case today. This would not only relieve the financial burden on cities, but also ensure better integration. The President of the City Association was dissatisfied with the agreements announced with the countries of origin of asylum seekers. “Hardly any country of origin that has been negotiated with has made a binding commitment to take back rejected asylum seekers,” he criticized./abc/DP/zb