Berlin — German Interior Ministry figures show that 488 Afghan nationals have been referred to the Federal Police for possible deportation to Afghanistan, including 267 people with no criminal convictions.
The figures were disclosed in a parliamentary response to Left Party lawmaker Clara Bünger and were also reported by German media. They cover cases submitted by Germany's federal states to the Federal Police between July 8 and September 18.
According to the ministry, all federal states except Bremen and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania submitted Afghan nationals for possible removal. Seven Afghans are currently in deportation detention at the request of the Federal Police, while one person is being held pending refusal of entry.
The Interior Ministry says around 250 Afghan nationals have been deported to Afghanistan since the current German government took office.
Germany suspended deportations to Afghanistan after the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Removals resumed in 2024, initially focusing on people convicted of serious crimes and individuals considered security threats. The current figures show that some Afghans without criminal convictions are also being considered for removal.
Being included in the list does not mean all 488 people will necessarily or immediately be deported. The German government says deportations can proceed against people who are legally required to leave and who are not protected by an individual legal ban on removal. Each case can still involve separate legal and administrative proceedings.
Bünger and refugee-rights groups have criticised removals of Afghans without criminal convictions, citing security, humanitarian and human-rights concerns in Afghanistan.