Dobrindt Faces Scrutiny Over Delays in Afghan Relocation Program
BERLIN – Andreas Dobrindt, a leading member of the Christian Social Union (CSU), is scheduled to appear before the German Interior Committee to address concerns regarding the stalled relocation of Afghan nationals who assisted German forces and institutions. The hearing comes amid criticism of the federal government’s handling of commitments to protect Afghans facing persecution following the Taliban’s takeover.
The situation centers on former local employees of the Bundeswehr and other German organizations who worked in Afghanistan, as well as individuals at risk due to their pro-democracy advocacy. While Germany initially established voluntary admission programs,these were temporarily halted as the coalition government-comprising the Union and the Social Democratic Party (SPD)-initiated a review of existing commitments.Consequently, access to Germany has largely been limited to those who have successfully pursued legal action to secure visas.
As of today, November 21, 2025, the federal government has only permitted entry for individuals who won court battles mandating visa issuance-most recently, 52 Afghans arrived in Germany after a triumphant legal challenge. The Interior Committee’s inquiry aims to determine the reasons for the program’s delays and to assess the government’s plans for fulfilling its obligations to vulnerable Afghans. The outcome of the hearing could influence future policy decisions regarding the admission of at-risk individuals from Afghanistan.
