141 Afghan Refugees Arrive in Germany Amid Urgent Deadline and Policy Strains

On December 22, 2025, 141 Afghan refugees landed in Hannover, Germany, after being evacuated from Islamabad, Pakistan. These individuals, who fled Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, arrived as part of the German government's resettlement efforts under the local staff procedure and the federal resettlement program. The refugees had previously received promises of acceptance, which allowed their entry, a process that has faced legal challenges and intense scrutiny.

The German government is under significant pressure to expedite processing for Afghan refugees. Pakistan has imposed a strict deadline for the reception of these refugees, demanding that Germany complete acceptance by the year's end. Failing to do so could result in deportations back to Afghanistan, where the borders remain largely closed and the security situation precarious.

Currently, about 45 individuals remain in the local staff procedure (Ortskräfteverfahren) and 264 in the federal intake program (Bundesaufnahmeprogramm), waiting to be relocated. Approximately 300 more Afghan refugees are expected to be accepted soon. However, individuals with older resettlement commitments—around 650 people—are unlikely to receive visas under new regulations and may face deportation.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) has stipulated that only those from the specific resettlement programs can enter Germany, as the existing coalition government is phasing out humanitarian resettlement programs “as far as possible.” This policy shift has garnered sharp criticism from human rights organizations and members of opposition parties. Green Party politician Omid Nouripour highlighted the urgent need to bring all Afghans promised safety to Germany, warning of the dangers they face if returned to Taliban rule.

Several refugees, including human rights activists, had to engage in legal battles to secure their right to enter Germany after the government paused the resettlement program. One notable case involved Karime Rahimi-Abasin, who won her legal challenge for admission.

Between September and December, nearly 750 Afghans have already arrived in Germany from Pakistan, but the government’s strict deadlines and restrictive policies continue to generate controversy and raise humanitarian concerns. With only days left in the year, Germany faces mounting pressure to fulfill its commitments and protect vulnerable Afghans from forced returns to an unstable and dangerous homeland.