The German Office for Migration and Refugees has to pay 17 million euros for lost asylum processes

Incorrect asylum decisions by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) cost taxpayers tens of millions every year.

Nuremberg - Last year alone, the BAMF had to pay almost 17 million euros because of lost asylum court proceedings - four percent more than in 2020 Budget consultations reported on by the Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung (NOZ). If you look at the past five years, the total costs for such lost asylum processes have fluctuated between 16 and 25 million euros annually. The costs have recently increased despite a decline in court proceedings.

The trend is pointing further upwards: by April 20 of this year, costs of 5.9 million had already been incurred. Extrapolated for the year, this would add up to around 19 million euros. About a third of all refugees who appeal against the rejection of their asylum application are successful in the administrative courts' examination of the content.

As a rule, the BAMF incurs costs of 925.23 euros per lost asylum claim in the first instance. Refugees from Afghanistan in particular are successful with their lawsuits in court. The refugee policy spokeswoman for the left-wing faction, Clara Bünger, who evaluated the numbers, told the NOZ: "It's bitter for all taxpayers, but it's a catastrophe for those seeking protection who were unjustly rejected."

It can't go on like this: "The error rate in the BAMF must finally be significantly reduced." Bünger also called for the possibility of an appeal to be introduced in asylum law if there were serious doubts about the correctness of an asylum judgement.

Source: Der Newsticker

Photo: picture alliance / dpa Armin Weigel.