Naturalization crisis: Germany's immigration policy at a crossroads!

Naturalization crisis: Germany's immigration policy at a crossroads!

Immigration policy in Germany is under fire. Despite massive efforts at reform, the strategy is considered a failure. Many illegal immigrants continue to seek their way into the country, which is pushing social infrastructure such as daycare centers and schools to their limits. Overloading is the order of the day and the municipalities' ability to integrate seems to be at its limit. The traffic light government once introduced turbo naturalization for asylum seekers after just three years, but the project was stopped by the new Merz government. Immigrants currently have to wait five years to become German citizens. Before 1999 it was even 15 years - a period of time that is hard to imagine today, when the social challenges seem greater than ever. Critics also complain that the ability to keep an old passport dilutes the meaning of German citizenship, as Bild reports.

But what about the immigration of skilled workers? This occurred on March 1, 2020 Skilled Immigration Act into force, a significant step towards expanding the legal framework for the immigration of qualified specialists from third countries. After all, academic and professionally qualified specialists now have largely the same opportunities to come to Germany. Nevertheless, further measures are necessary to cover the urgent need for skilled workers, because without qualified workers the German economy is on the brink.

New opportunities for migrants

A promising element of the reforms is the planned introduction of an opportunity card based on a points system. Criteria such as qualifications, professional experience, language skills and a connection to Germany could be crucial here. According to the federal government's plans, those who have been tolerated for a long time should also receive a permanent residence permit through employment through an opportunity stay, especially since access to the German labor market for citizens from the Western Balkan states now remains unlimited, regardless of a recognized qualification.

In addition, the administrative implementation of the new regulations will be evaluated until 2027. Quantitative and qualitative analyzes of the effects of migration, integration and possible abuse of the regulations are being carried out - and the first results can be expected as early as 2027 Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.

A critical situation

The challenges should not be underestimated: the social infrastructure is increasingly suffering from the strain of rising social spending and growing crime. The feeling that immigration policy is at an end is getting louder and louder. Germany's image urgently needs to change in order to remain attractive as an immigration country. The integration of foreign skilled workers and workers must become a crucial point so that the country remains competitive in the long term.

So the question remains: Will Germany manage to strengthen the firewall against illegal immigration and at the same time promote the immigration of qualified specialists? The road will be rocky, but the future of the country depends on it.