IMMIGRATION
Taking refuge in Europe
The world has become more dangerous place for illegal immigrants, according to data from the United Nations. The number of forcibly displaced persons increased to some 43 million people in 2010.
Asylum seekers can be sent back to a "safe country" they have travelled through
One out of five refugees reaches Europe, the United States or any other developed country. In contrast to the overall increase of refugees driven by civil war, ethnic strife or political oppression, the number of asylum claims in European countries is decreasing. The reason for this is: European Union countries have become more sophisticated in finding new legal justifications to refer asylum seekers to other countries instead of dealing with the migrants themselves.
Many asylum seekers are forced to wait it out because of their pending status
When people apply for asylum in Germany for example, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees will check whether they entered Europe in another country or even applied for asylum elsewhere.
If so, German authorities can refer asylum seekers to the country where they initially entered Europe. If not, German immigration officials attempt to send the asylum seekers back to other "safe countries" they travelled through on the way to Europe. Definitions of what constitute "safe countries" vary from one EU member state to the other. Germany defines far fewer countries in the world to be "safe" than, for example, France or Great Britain do.
If so, German authorities can refer asylum seekers to the country where they initially entered Europe. If not, German immigration officials attempt to send the asylum seekers back to other "safe countries" they travelled through on the way to Europe. Definitions of what constitute "safe countries" vary from one EU member state to the other. Germany defines far fewer countries in the world to be "safe" than, for example, France or Great Britain do.
Rejected asylum seekers protest against their imminent deportation from Belgium
Asylum seekers must demonstrate that their fear of persecution in the home country is well-founded, if possible by providing solid evidence. In Germany, usually several months pass until an asylum claim is decided. At least for the first weeks, the asylum seekers live in a special accommodation. Food, clothes and other basic needs are met. But only some 40 euros are given in cash, for example, for telephone calls or public transportation.
Across Europe, asylum seekers have to observe strict working regulations: In Germany, they are not allowed to get a job at all during the first 12 months, and after that only by special permission. DW DE
Across Europe, asylum seekers have to observe strict working regulations: In Germany, they are not allowed to get a job at all during the first 12 months, and after that only by special permission. DW DE
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