Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – Germany’s recent deportation of convicted Afghan criminals to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan is triggering a major shift in European migration policy, as several EU member states signal readiness to join Berlin in expanding controversial return operations. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt confirmed Monday that other European countries have expressed “great interest” in participating in future deportations, citing growing political momentum for a tougher, collective approach.
Speaking at an informal EU Home Affairs Council meeting in Copenhagen, Dobrindt said, “We have spoken several times about the fact that the deportations to Afghanistan we have carried out are attracting great interest from other countries, who would like to take part in such operations.” His remarks come just days after Germany became the first EU country to not only deport individuals to Afghanistan since the Taliban’s 2021 takeover, but also to allow Taliban officials onto German soil to facilitate the operation.
Germany is now leading a “coalition of the willing” within the EU, joined by France, Austria, Poland, Denmark, and Czechia, along with EU Home Affairs Commissioner Magnus Brunner. Together, they are pushing for stronger, bloc-wide migration enforcement measures. A recent joint declaration by these countries calls for the legal possibility of returning migrants to high-risk countries like Afghanistan and Syria, a policy shift likely to face legal and humanitarian challenges.
At the heart of Germany’s proposal is the creation of “return hubs”—facilities located in third countries near migrants’ countries of origin where rejected asylum seekers could be relocated. This model is part of a broader strategy envisioned by the European Commission to streamline deportation processes and reduce the number of undocumented migrants residing in the EU. “We believe this is an innovative and absolutely necessary approach,” Dobrindt said, emphasizing that such agreements would ensure returns are carried out “in a dignified way” while keeping migrants close to their homeland.
Although Dobrindt acknowledged the political sensitivity surrounding the idea—especially in countries with strong human rights lobbies—he argued that a Europe-wide plan offers the best chance of implementation. “We know that for individual member states this can be very difficult,” he said. “Still, we believe this path is the most promising.”
Germany is also exploring its own bilateral deals to accelerate deportations independently, following in the footsteps of the UK and Denmark, both of which have negotiated offshoring plans with countries like Rwanda.
The proposal has already drawn criticism from humanitarian organizations and rights groups, who argue that deporting individuals to countries like Afghanistan, where the Taliban regime has been accused of severe rights abuses, violates international asylum norms. Yet proponents argue that the rising number of failed asylum seekers and convicted migrants in Europe demands a more decisive response.
With more EU countries now considering joining Germany’s lead, the continent could be heading into a new era of migration control—one that prioritizes rapid returns over resettlement and tougher border enforcement over open-door policies. Whether the plan can withstand legal scrutiny and public backlash remains to be seen.
