Dozens of Afghans have entered Germany under a federal admission program, the Interior Ministry confirmed today after the US announced it was stopping accepting immigration applications, DPA reported, BTA reported.
On Thursday evening, 71 Afghans arrived by plane in Hanover and Berlin from the Pakistani capital Islamabad, a ministry spokeswoman said.
This is the tenth time since the change of government in Germany in May that Afghans have been admitted under the program, despite Chancellor Friedrich Merz's efforts to limit migration.
Of the latter group, 63 people did not have final court decisions obliging Germany to admit them and issue them the necessary visas. All 71 people have been given a legally binding obligation to enter the country and have passed the admission and security screening process, the spokeswoman said.
Nearly 1,900 Afghans from various admission programs are still hoping to be admitted to Germany.
Among them are former local officials and their families who worked for German institutions before the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan more than four years ago, as well as other at-risk groups such as human rights lawyers and journalists.
Pakistan has given Germany until the end of the year to complete the admission procedures. After that, the people will be deported to Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday a complete suspension of admission to the United States of all people from the Third World.