German is planning to start processing the asylum applications of thousands of individuals who currently hold refugee status in Greece but have applied in Germany.
Germany’s immigration authorities have temporarily halted refugees applications. However, a report has revealed that the officials will now start processing the applications which have been put on hold.
German authorities are expected to process more than 40,000 asylum applications from people who already hold refugee status in Greece. After these applications are processed, the number may increase depending on the situation.
The number of people arriving in Germany illegally from Greece has increased significantly over the years. The majority of people who enter Germany after receiving refugee status in Greece are Afghan citizens.
Since those who have applied for asylum in Germany already have refugee status in Greece, it is unclear what will happen to them. Officials have yet to officially state whether they plan to return asylum seekers to Greece or grant them refugee status.
Thus, the authorities are yet to reveal more regarding the criteria and the rules they will apply when processing the applications.
Even though strict restrictions were imposed last year to curb the spread of the COVID-19 disease, migrants continued to reach Germany illegally. The most significant number of illegal arrivals was recorded from those entering Greece for the first time. However, arrivals from other countries were also expected.
While Germany has yet to decide on the status of asylum applications made by those entering Greece, the country has already agreed to facilitate immigration procedures for Ukrainian Jews fleeing the battlefield.
Ukrainian Jews fleeing war will now be able to apply for ‘Jewish immigration’ using simplified procedures. The Council of Jews announced the new simplified rules for this specific category in Germany.
