Clara Bünger, a Member of Parliament for the Left Party, has leveled sharp criticism against current German deportation practices. While the Federal Interior Ministry maintains that deportations primarily target individuals with criminal records, Bünger argues that for many, the only actual offense is a lack of legal residency status. She reports being frequently contacted by individuals in desperate situations regarding friends or relatives who face the threat of expulsion or have already been removed from the country.
Highlighting the human impact of these government actions, Bünger stated that she is aware of cases where families are regularly separated and children are taken directly from their schools. She noted that such incidents are occasionally brought to light through reports from NGOs, media outlets, and other initiatives. Regarding the official characterization of those deported, Bünger challenged the narrative often presented by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI). She argued that the federal government wants those being deported to appear as dangerous and threatening as possible. Therefore it emphasises that it mainly deports people to Afghanistan who have committed serious crimes.
Bünger, who represents the Left Party from Dresden, suggested that many deportations are actually driven by administrative offenses. She pointed out that the Interior Ministry does not typically provide specific reasons for individual deportations, generally acting when a person lacks a right of residence. She added that it is reasonable to assume those affected include individuals criminalized due to their migration history or those who have committed minor infractions, such as fare evasion. Furthermore, Bünger expressed her total opposition to deportations to Afghanistan, citing the Taliban's brutal repression of political dissent. Millions of people in Afghanistan are starving, and unemployment is high. No one should be deported to such conditions. This applies regardless of what crimes a person may have committed.
Official figures released by the BMI following a parliamentary inquiry from Bünger indicate that deportations from Germany are down overall this year. In numbers: How many people has Germany deported this year? Between January and September, 14,324 foreign nationals were deported, a decrease of 18.9 percent compared to the same period in 2025. This decline correlates with a nearly 46 percent drop in first-time asylum applications during the same timeframe. The Federal Interior Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding these claims.
The Local contacted Bünger to ask why she says ongoing deportations from Germany are still too many, and to ask what she knows about who is being expelled and why.
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