Concerns are being raised regarding the welfare of German students participating in exchange programs in the United States.
Julian Joswig, a Member of the German Parliament for the Green Party, has formally inquired about the measures being taken by the Federal Government to support participants in the Parliamentary Partnership Program (PPP), following reports of increasingly stringent U.S. entry procedures. The PPP is a youth exchange program jointly sponsored by the German Bundestag and the U.S. Congress.
The Foreign Office has responded stating that U.S. entry requirements for German citizens have not officially changed and that individuals encountering difficulties can seek assistance from German diplomatic missions within the United States.
However, Mr. Joswig has expressed dissatisfaction with this response. In a letter to Bundestag President Julia Klöckner, who serves as the patron of the PPP, he criticized what he termed a “business-as-usual approach”. He argues that the Federal Government has not adequately addressed recent developments, including tightened border controls, the political climate following the return of Donald Trump to the presidency and the impact of increased digital surveillance. He believes a more proactive engagement with these issues is necessary to ensure the safety and support of German exchange students.