Federal Minister of the Interior Faeser and Brandenburg Agree on Establishment of Dublin Center
Eisenhüttenstadt, Brandenburg, Germany – Today, Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser (SPD) and Brandenburg’s Minister of the Interior Katrin Lange (SPD) have reached an agreement on setting up a center for refugees whose asylum procedures are the responsibility of another EU member state.
The new "Dublin Center" in Eisenhüttenstadt, a city on the Polish border that already houses an initial reception facility for asylum seekers, is intended to expedite the return of these applicants. Faeser and Lange signed an agreement and provided details about the plans. A similar Dublin Center will also be established in Hamburg.
Dublin Regulation and Delays
One provision of the Dublin Regulation stipulates that the country where a refugee first enters EU territory is typically responsible for handling their asylum application. Dublin Centers are specifically designed to facilitate faster transfers to such countries.
In practice, however, returning asylum seekers to the designated EU country frequently encounters obstacles. In 2023 and 2024, German immigration authorities were unsuccessful in transferring tens of thousands of asylum seekers to the relevant EU partner countries under the Dublin Regulation.
One such case involved the alleged attacker in Aschaffenburg, who was due to be transferred to Bulgaria. However, the bureaucratic process of issuing official documents took so long that the six-month deadline for Dublin transfers – commencing from the acceptance date of the receiving country – was missed.
Dublin Center in Hamburg
According to the Federal Ministry of the Interior, the nationwide first Dublin Center will be set up in Hamburg. It will accommodate asylum seekers shortly before their transfer to another EU country. During this two-week period, these individuals will only receive so-called "bridging benefits" in the form of in-kind services.
Analysis and Context
The establishment of Dublin Centers reflects the challenges faced by Germany and other EU member states in managing migration and asylum policies. The Dublin Regulation, which has been in place since 1990, has been criticized for placing an undue burden on front-line countries like Greece and Italy.
Moreover, the effectiveness of the regulation has been hindered by practical difficulties and delays in implementing transfers. In response to these shortcomings, the EU Commission has proposed reforms to streamline the Dublin system and enhance its fairness.
The Dublin Centers are intended to address these challenges by centralizing and expediting the transfer process. They will also provide asylum seekers with temporary accommodation and essential support during the transition period.
Conclusion
The establishment of Dublin Centers in Eisenhüttenstadt and Hamburg is a significant step towards improving the efficiency and fairness of the EU asylum system. While these centers are not a panacea, they can help to reduce delays, prevent absconding, and ensure that asylum seekers receive appropriate support throughout the process.
As the EU continues to grapple with migration challenges, continued cooperation and collaboration between member states will be essential to find sustainable and humane solutions that balance the need for border security with the protection of refugees and asylum seekers.
