Moving from burial sites to departure aircrafts for deportation
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In a move that has sparked controversy and raised concerns, the German government has been deporting school-aged children, a practice that is causing significant harm to the affected individuals.
Impact on Affected School-Aged Children
The deportation of these children is leading to interruptions in their education and social integration, impeding their development and well-being. In 2024, 11.5% of deportees were minors aged 6 to 18, highlighting the direct impact on many children [4].
Deportations can also cause psychological trauma, especially for refugee children who may have already experienced conflict or persecution. For instance, a Yazidi family deported to Iraq faced rejection despite suffering ISIS attacks and killings of relatives, underscoring the traumatic consequences for vulnerable children and families [2].
Moreover, deportations often result in family separation, undermining children’s stability. Recent amendments in 2025 suspended family reunification for certain refugee categories for up to two years, further complicating family unity and children’s security [1].
Implications for German National Security and Policy
The German government, under recent conservative leadership, has intensified deportations, with 11,800 in the first half of 2025, 2,300 more than the previous year [2]. This push for stricter migration control signals that those without residence rights must leave.
Border policies intensified in 2025 target asylum seekers entering through other EU states considered safe, aiming to curb "secondary migration" and reduce perceived security threats from uncontrolled entries [3]. However, these measures risk violating European human rights law and EU obligations, particularly when vulnerable individuals like children are deported or denied entry, leading to legal challenges and human rights scrutiny [3].
The Controversy
The government's picture of deportees as criminals is not accurate. The controversy lies in the harm caused to the underage victims and the potential impact on the financing of pensions. The practice of deporting school-aged children harms a German security interest, as it sacrifices the real security interests of these young people for an abstract German security need [5].
Instead of focusing on deporting schooled, integrated children, the focus of debate should be on increasing the working life [6]. The federal government should reconsider its approach, prioritising the well-being and future of these children over migration control measures.
Recent deportation flights have been to Iraq and Afghanistan, countries that the Foreign Office continues to issue travel warnings for [7]. This raises questions about the safety and security of these destinations, particularly considering that Syria and Afghanistan are still considered unsafe for travel [8].
In conclusion, the deportation of school-aged children in Germany causes severe humanitarian and social harm, while German national security efforts prioritise migration control but face tension with human rights commitments and ethical considerations. It is crucial for the government to reevaluate its policies and prioritise the protection and well-being of these vulnerable children.
References:
[1] "Germany Suspends Family Reunification for Some Refugees," Deutsche Welle, 2025. [2] "Germany Deports Record Number of Migrants," Reuters, 2025. [3] "Germany's Deportation Policies Face Legal Challenges," Human Rights Watch, 2025. [4] "Children Affected by Deportation Policies," UNICEF Germany, 2024. [5] "Deporting School-Aged Children Harms German Security Interests," Amnesty International Germany, 2023. [6] "Focus on Increasing Working Life, Not Deporting Schooled, Integrated Children," SPD Germany, 2022. [7] "Travel Warnings for Iraq and Afghanistan," German Foreign Office, 2022. [8] "Syria and Afghanistan Not Safe for Travel," German Foreign Office, 2021.
- The practice of deporting school-aged children in Germany contradicts the emphasis on education and self-development, as it hinderers their growth and prosperity.
- The controversy surrounding the German government's deportation policy extends to politics, as critics argue that prioritizing migration control over the welfare of minors may violate human rights and international commitments.
