Dramatic deportations in Frankfurt: A system in crisis!

Dramatic deportations in Frankfurt: A system in crisis!

In the shadow of Frankfurt Airport, the German deportation system becomes an issue of urgent relevance. The figures from 2024 not only represent worrying growth, but also raise fundamental questions about humanity and the structure of such measures. A report from ben-kurier.de shows that 20,084 people were deported from Germany, which means an increase of around 22 percent compared to 2023.

A significant proportion of these deportations took place via Frankfurt Airport, where 6,342 people, almost a third of the total number, had to leave the country. But what lies behind these numbers often means much more than just statistics. According to the activity report of the deportation monitoring Frankfurt, there are serious doubts about the humanity and the processes of the relevant authorities.

Problems and failures in the system

A large number of reports speak of inadequate preparations for those affected. People were picked up in the middle of the night, often in sleeping clothes and without any personal belongings. Particularly worrying are the fates that do not take the individual needs of the deportees into account. A Nigerian mother and her child, for example, were taken to the airport without appropriate clothing, and a severely disabled child had to be transported without his wheelchair. These abuses were documented by both volunteers and the federal police.

The reports of night deportations are particularly dramatic, where people are forced into this situation without the opportunity to dress appropriately or take the necessary medication with them. One example from the report describes the fate of an Afghan mother who was picked up after surgery and still deemed fit to fly - a decision-making process that highlights clear medical contradictions. Another case involves a man with injuries who had to go to the airport without necessary medical care.

The role of the authorities

The activity report not only criticizes the medical negligence, but also the interaction between different authorities. However, the federal police at the airport are largely praised for their respectful treatment of those being deported. So officials strive to provide the necessary, but often inadequate, minimum level of care, while the real problems and weaknesses in the system begin elsewhere. The more than 3,600 minors who were affected by deportations in 2024 also show a regrettable picture. This corresponds to an increase compared to previous years and is causing increased public discussion.

The report from fr.de emphasizes that, in contrast to the praiseworthy behavior of the federal police, the operations of the immigration authorities and the state police are often viewed as problematic. Organizations such as Diakonie and Caritas are calling for clear and uniform standards for deportations, especially to protect vulnerable groups such as children, the sick and people with disabilities.

The data makes it clear: North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg have been the main players in deportations in recent years. These developments contradict what many would consider to be a humane and just course of action. With 67,571 affected people thrown back and forth between deportations, rejections and returns in 2024, now is the moment to act and finally demand structural changes in the deportation system.

Loud bpb.de Frankfurt Airport remains a central element of the deportation policy, which at the same time shows numerous weaknesses. Given the problems that are emerging, it is a sign for everyone involved to not just look at the numbers, but to recognize the human stories behind these tragic stories and give them the attention they deserve.