The German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bamf) is set to launch a cooperative project to encourage the return of already recognized refugees in Greece. This information comes from an internal Bamf document, which was reported on by the Spiegel.
Under the so-called Bridge Program, migrants who return to Greece will be supported by Greek authorities. They will receive assistance with accommodation and food, for example. Later, the migrants will be integrated into a new Greek integration program. The initial participation in the project is voluntary.
In the long run, the Bamf aims to also implement forced returns, according to the document. The target group in Germany are single and employable individuals between the ages of 19 and 49, whose protection order in Greece is no more than two years old. The Bamf is currently contacting refugees who are legally obliged to leave the country. Even those who are still in the asylum process will receive a letter. The organization and financing of the departure will be taken over by the federal states, with the European Commission covering the costs in the first year and the Greek government taking over afterwards, according to the document.
The Bamf also aims to improve the legal possibilities for German authorities to deport migrants to Greece in the future. Administrative courts have so far largely prohibited such deportations, citing inhumane conditions in Greece. Recently, the numbers of recognized refugees in Greece who have filed a second asylum application in Germany have risen significantly.