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For justice and freedom
A new realpolitik on migration
A robust state under the rule of law needs clear rules. Acquiring German citizenship will be faster in future – but it will also be subject to stricter requirements. The naturalisation process will be faster if a person has very good German language skills or demonstrates a particularly high level of civic engagement. However, naturalisation should generally only be possible for people who are able to support themselves financially. In other words: recipients of social benefits such as Bürgergeld (citizen’s benefit) or Grundsicherung (basic income support for jobseekers) cannot become German citizens. Certain narrow exceptions apply to people who came to the Federal Republic of Germany as Gastarbeiter (guest workers) or to the former German Democratic Republic as Vertragsarbeiter (contract workers), as well as people who are employed full-time. Naturalisation is also out of the question for people who subscribe to antisemitic ideas. This has always been the right approach, and recent weeks have shown us just how important this stance is.
Modernisation of citizenship law
In future, naturalisation authorities are to investigate whether even minor offences such as verbal abuse were prompted by antisemitism or other forms of bigotry. If a judge finds that an act was driven by antisemitic sentiment or other motives evidencing contempt for humanity, the perpetrator will be barred from acquiring German citizenship. And if someone who is not a German citizen commits an antisemitic crime, then their residence situation must also be carefully examined. In some cases, of course, this will mean expulsion. There is a clear public interest in expelling those who incite hatred against Jews from the country.
There is no question that our labour market depends on immigration. And we have a very strong desire to help people in need. But our resources are limited. We cannot take in everyone who wants to come to Germany but will not contribute to the labour market or the country's economic prosperity, relying instead on the social security systems.
1. Lesung im Bundestag zur Änderung des Staatsangehörigkeitsrechts
Mit dem Gesetzesentwurf zur Änderung des Staatsangehörigkeitsrechts soll der Erwerb der deutschen Staatsangehörigkeit erleichtert und gleichzeitig ein Anreiz zur schnellen Integration geschaffen werden. Bundesjustizminister Dr. Marco Buschmann in einer Ersten Lesung vor dem Deutschen Bundestag.
Reducing unintended incentives for migration
The Federal Government and the Länder agreed at the Conference of Minister-Presidents in early November to reduce unintended incentives for migration. The Federal Ministry of Justice played a leading role in the discussions leading up to this agreement. The length of time for which benefits under the Asylum Seekers’ Benefits Act (Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz, AsylbLG) are payable will be adjusted. In future, the period during which asylum seekers receive reduced benefits will be doubled from 18 to 36 months. Besides saving Germany up to one billion euros, this will also reduce the incentive to come to Germany illegally in order to receive social benefits. The amount received is not the only relevant factor, however – the manner in which benefits are provided matters too. Accordingly, instead of cash payments, asylum seekers will soon be provided with digital payment cards and benefits in kind.
All of this serves the best interests of our country. And it is humane, because people will be discouraged from undertaking a life-threatening journey that will not help them achieve their goals.