Four integration ministers from the Green party have objected to the plans of Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) to cease funding for independent asylum procedure counseling by the end of this year. In a letter reported by “Der Spiegel” they have asked the CSU politician to reconsider his decision.
Verena Schäffer (North Rhine-Westphalia), Aminata Touré (Schleswig-Holstein), Katharina Binz (Rhineland-Palatinate), and Manfred Lucha (Baden-Württemberg) stated concern that the measure would “thwart the intended acceleration of proceedings and instead lead to delays”.
Current budget planning provisions suggest a complete elimination of these funds. Consequently, many points of contact for asylum seekers could face financial difficulties.
Schäffer, the Integration and Refugee Minister for North Rhine-Westphalia, told “Der Spiegel” that “independent asylum procedure counseling is a fundamental building block for a smooth process. This would allow procedures to be managed more efficiently and ensure that those affected are better informed. If asylum seekers can make well-informed decisions, it also reduces the burden on authorities and courts”.
Counseling was initially introduced in 2023 by the then-coalition (Ampelkoalition). Under Paragraph 12a of the Asylum Law, the federal government supports “agency-independent, outcome-oriented, free, individual, and voluntary asylum procedure counseling”. This framework allows asylum seekers to consult with counseling centers in confidential discussions even before their hearing, enabling them to ask questions about their personal case. Both the CDU/CSU and SPD had agreed in their coalition agreement to evaluate this counseling service outcome-oriented.
The Integration Ministers’ Conference is currently meeting for the second day of its deliberations in Essen.