Number of asylum seekers in Saxony has halved

Number of voluntary departures increased sharply

847 rejected asylum seekers were deported by the end of November (same period last year: 872). The slight decrease in deportations contrasts with an almost doubling of voluntary departures. 1,509 people left Germany voluntarily from Saxony, compared to 861 in the first eleven months of 2024.

"The renewed increase in the number of voluntary departures, both on one's own responsibility and accompanied, proves that the mere existence of a state departure center or the announcement of a transfer there has an effect on those affected," commented Interior Minister Armin Schuster (CDU) on the figures.

Schuster expects deportations to Afghanistan and Syria

The very good and intensive return counseling provided by the experts in the LDS and the immigration authorities would contribute significantly to the fact that voluntary departure is increasingly "the most acceptable form of return for all parties involved", Schuster told the German Press Agency. "In future, we also expect return options to Syria and Afghanistan and will evaluate the experiences with the facility this year to improve further operations."

According to the state directorate, there were a total of 24,537 people "with asylum status" living in Saxony as at 30 November. This refers to people for whom proceedings are still ongoing and rejected asylum seekers who are obliged to leave the country. The latter point applies to 12,483 people. Of these, 10,614 had a tolerated stay - their deportation is prevented by legal or other reasons.

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