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How they work: Voluntary return and reintegration, and forced return
Article Migration
Voluntary and forced return are two instruments under the rule of law which ensure that our government can act efficiently.
Voluntary return always takes priority over forcible removals. Many governmental and non-governmental services help people who are required to leave Germany return to their countries of origin. For example, they may receive start-up and reintegration assistance.
Only those who do not voluntarily comply with the obligation to leave will be removed forcibly. The federal and state governments agreed to establish the Joint Centre for Return Assistance (ZUR) in Berlin. The centre is intended to better connect the numerous actors involved in enforcing our laws by carrying out the asylum procedure or taking action to end residence. Its task is to ensure effective cooperation between federal and state authorities in the field of voluntary and forced return.
Voluntary return
Persons willing or required to leave Germany and return to their countries of origin have access to various forms of assistance. As part of integrated return management, governmental and non-governmental bodies provide information and advice on funds available for travel, start-up assistance and reintegration programmes in the countries of origin.
Germany participates in a range of programmes providing social and psychological support, training and education, employment promotion and assistance in starting own businesses.
The Returning from Germany website brings together all the relevant information on voluntary return and reintegration for potential returnees and for advisers.
More information on important federal and state programmes is provided by the Information Centre for Voluntary Return (ZIRF) and on the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). Those who run the governmental and non-governmental return counselling centres also play an important role in providing information.
Return and reintegration programmes (REAG/GARP)
Funded by the Federation and federal states, the Reintegration and Emigration Programme for Asylum-Seekers in Germany (REAG) was launched in 1979; the Government Assisted Repatriation Programme (GARP) was added in 1989. Through these programmes, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) organizes and supports returns. The Federation and the federal states annually determine the amount of funding for these programmes.
Supplementing the joint federal–state programme REAG/GARP, the Federal Government launched the new support programme StarthilfePlus in February 2017 in cooperation with the IOM.
StarthilfePlus
This return programme creates an additional financial incentive, making it easier for returnees to regain a foothold in their home country. It is intended for asylum seekers with little chance of being granted asylum who would prefer to go back to their home country. To be eligible for funding under StarthilfePlus, migrants must decide to return voluntarily within the period set for their departure.
Reintegration
The European Reintegration Network (ERIN) is a joint return and reintegration programme offered by numerous European countries. It uses local partner organizations to help returnees in their home countries. Individual reintegration measures include arrival services, short-term accommodation, assistance in setting up a business and finding employment, and help with social, medical and legal matters. The programme is largely co-funded by the European Union. The ERIN countries bear the costs incurred for actual reintegration assistance.
URA
The URA project (“ura” means “bridge” in Albanian) is a joint return and reintegration funding programme of the Federation and nine federal states. It is intended for vulnerable persons returning to Kosovo and provides comprehensive advising, reintegration and support services in the country. The aim is to ensure lasting reintegration of those who need assistance in Kosovo.
The Perspektive Heimat project
The Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community (BMI) and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) have started a joint return initiative designed to promote voluntary return and lasting reintegration in the country of origin. The initiative aims at linking return counselling activities in Germany with economic development activities in the individual countries of origin. Through the programme, the BMZ helps create future prospects for returnees in their home country. For example, voluntary returnees are to be placed in local occupational training and employment programmes run by the GIZ, the German organization for international cooperation. These programmes are also open to the local population.
For more information, please visit: “Perspektive Heimat”.
Forced return
When it comes to forced return, Germany’s constitution assigns the responsibility for enforcement to the federal states. The primary means of enforcement are deportation and, if necessary to ensure that the forced return can be carried out, detention pending deportation. There are often practical obstacles to forced return: Many people required to leave the country do not have identity papers. Before they can leave, authorities must establish their nationality and obtain passport substitutes. To do this, the responsible authorities depend on support from the countries of origin. Good cooperation with the countries of origin is therefore essential to establish procedures for identifying persons required to leave and to issue travel documents faster.
