Hesse’s Interior Minister Roman Poseck Criticizes the Federal Government’s Deportation Flights to Turkey
Frankfurt, Germany – Hesse’s Interior Minister Roman Poseck (CDU) has criticized the federal government’s organized deportation flights to Turkey as a form of "symbolic politics" in a letter to Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser (SPD).
In his letter, written ahead of this Sunday’s Bundestag election and in light of recent attacks in Germany, Poseck stressed the need for a "change of course in migration policy." The letter was obtained by the German Press Agency (dpa) and previously reported by the Bild newspaper.
According to the Hessian Ministry of the Interior, three deportation flights organized by the federal government on February 13 and 14 carried "only non-dangerous individuals with travel documents." Poseck wrote to Faeser, "These were primarily not criminals, but also women and children." He added that some of the deportees had voluntarily agreed to return to their home country.
In November, Poseck noted, the federal states had provided the federal government with a list of Turkish refugees who were "legally and practically ready for deportation, including some individuals in custody." According to the Hessian Ministry of the Interior, the states require the federal government’s assistance in returning serious criminals and individuals posing a security threat.
Poseck criticized the lack of security escorts on the three deportation flights, arguing that they were of little use to Hesse. He described the flights as "regular airline flights for unproblematic cases" and stated, "We do not need federal support for such deportations to Turkey. Hesse can handle them on its own. There are several non-stop flights from Frankfurt Airport to Turkey every day."
The CDU politician asked Faeser to provide him with information about planned "genuine repatriation flights." He concluded his letter with the words, "We must take charge of our security." Faeser, who also resides in Hesse, is running for the Bundestag from the state.
Poseck’s criticism highlights the ongoing debate in Germany about the effectiveness of deportation flights and the broader issue of balancing security and humanitarian concerns in migration policy. The recent terrorist attacks in Germany have further heightened concerns about the integration of refugees and asylum seekers in the country.
While the federal government has defended its deportation flights as a necessary measure to enforce immigration laws, critics argue that they are ineffective and inhumane. They point to the difficulties in identifying and deporting dangerous individuals, as well as the potential risks to deportees upon their return to countries where they may face persecution or violence.
The issue of migration is expected to remain a key focus of political debate in Germany in the coming months and years, as the country grapples with the challenges and opportunities presented by increasing global mobility and the integration of newcomers into its society.
