Good News for Refugees, Germany Approves Family Union Law

After August, refugees with partial protection status and limited residence permits will be able to withdraw other family members. Throughout Germany, 1,000 families will be allowed in the future each month.

This decision has been made by the German Parliament, Bundestag. MPs approved the new law with 370 votes for and 279 votes against. Three votes were abstentions.

Currently, family withdrawal for this group of refugees is not possible, except for some cases that are difficult. In view of the large number of refugees, the Union's parties, the Christian Democrats and the Socialkristians, had decided that this group of refugees, with partial status protection and limited residence, the so-called partial subsidary asylum, should not have allowed two years to attract the family. Most of this group are civil war refugees in Syria, reports the DW.

Liberal party FDP, leftist bills did not receive majority votes
Interior Ministry State Secretary Stephan Mayer (CSU) called the law a good compromise. At the same time, he said it is “content that it remains as it is and that there is no complaint”.

Partial protection complaint has taken place from August 2015 to March 2016. According to expert estimates, limiting the number to 1,000 per month would mean for many long-term refugees to wait until they are reunited with the family.

Social Democrat Vice President Eva Högl said, that the law combines humanitarian responsibility with controlled direction.

Refugees in Germany have arrived who have not drowned in the Mediterranean Sea or taken into the Balkan corridor, often just one person from the family. “The law is made for them”, she said.

Bills introduced by FDP and Left did not receive most votes. Fraction of The FDP wanted no family union for people with partial asylums for another two years, making certain exceptions. And the left ones wanted no obstacle to family reunion, starting immediately.