Over a tenth of those deported are minors
In the first half of 2025, Germany witnessed a significant increase in deportations, with over 11,800 individuals being deported, marking a nearly 30% rise compared to the same period in 2024[1]. Among these deportations, more than 1,300 minors (underage individuals) were deported, constituting about every ninth person deported[2].
This surge in deportations is part of a wider-scale intensification of deportation efforts in 2025, driven by political will for stricter immigration enforcement and coordinated European-level initiatives to manage migration more rigorously[1][2]. The rise reflects growing political momentum in Germany and several other EU states towards stricter immigration controls and tougher asylum and border policies[1].
Dietmar Bartsch, an MP from The Left, criticized the deportation of minors, stating that children who are deported are the skilled workers of tomorrow and their families[3]. Bartsch emphasized that children belong in school, not on deportation flights[3]. He questioned the logic of deporting school-age children who learn, grow up, and are integrated in Germany[3].
The data on the total number of deportees in the first half of the year is not provided in the response[4]. Last year, 20,084 people were deported from Germany, with 2,316 being children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 18[5]. The percentage of children and adolescents among the deportees has remained stable at over 11% since 2022[5].
The federal government's response to a parliamentary inquiry by the Left revealed this information[6]. However, it does not specify whether the increase in deportations applies only to adults or includes minors as well[5]. Additionally, the response does not provide any information on the percentage of minors among the deportees in the years 2022, 2023, and 2024[6].
The surge in deportations aligns with a broader European political trend emphasizing stricter border controls and removals of unauthorized residents[1]. The data was requested by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, indicating that political actors on the right are using such statistics to justify tougher immigration policies[1]. There is no direct mention of political opposition in the search results, but the balanced media bias indicated around deportations of minors suggests ongoing debate on this issue[2].
Despite the controversy, the federal government has no findings on how many of the deportees were employed in a socially insured job[6]. Bartsch's stance against the deportation of minors remains firm, as he reiterated that children do not belong on deportation flights[3].
References:
[1] Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND) [2] German Press Agency [3] Die Linke [4] Interior Ministry [5] Federal Government's Response to the Parliamentary Inquiry by The Left [6] German Press Agency's Report on the Federal Government's Response to the Parliamentary Inquiry by The Left
- The increase in deportations in 2025, which includes minors, is a part of a larger European political agenda focusing on stricter border controls and the removal of unauthorized residents, as seen in the data requested by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
- Dietmar Bartsch, an MP from The Left, continues to advocate for the rights of minors, stating that children should be in school rather than on deportation flights, emphasizing the potential they hold as the skilled workers of tomorrow.
