Fear is spreading among immigrant communities in eastern Germany. As the AfD — Germany's far-right party — appears on course for a strong result in an upcoming regional election in a former communist eastern German state, many migrants are reportedly already preparing to pack their bags. The party has threatened what it calls a "deportation and remigration offensive", language that has understandably alarmed people who have built their lives in the region. For any foreigner living in or considering a move to eastern Germany, this is a moment that demands clear information — and a calm look at what is actually at stake.
According to The Local, the AfD has threatened a "deportation and remigration offensive" in the context of the regional election campaign. This language is central to the party's political platform and has been used to signal a desire to significantly reduce the number of migrants living in Germany — including, the party has suggested, people who are legally resident.
It is important to distinguish between political campaign rhetoric and what a regional government can actually do. Germany's immigration law is a federal matter. Deportations are ordered and carried out under federal legal frameworks, and individual residence permits are issued and managed through the Ausländerbehörde according to federal rules. A state government cannot unilaterally deport people who hold valid Aufenthaltstitel.
However, the anxiety felt by migrants in the region is entirely understandable. Political rhetoric — even when it exceeds what a government can legally deliver — shapes the social climate and can embolden discrimination.
For many immigrants, the calculation is not purely legal. Even if an AfD-led regional government cannot strip a valid residence permit, the daily experience of living somewhere governed by a party that has made hostility to migrants a core part of its identity is a legitimate quality-of-life concern.
The communities most at risk of feeling this pressure include asylum seekers whose status is still being determined, people on shorter-term or conditional residence permits, and those from backgrounds that the AfD has specifically targeted in its rhetoric. But the anxiety extends more broadly — to long-term residents, workers, and students who simply feel less welcome in an environment where the political leadership is openly hostile to their presence.
The reports of migrants preparing to leave reflect a real human cost of political extremism, regardless of what the law technically permits.
To be clear about the legal boundaries: a state government in Germany can influence the tone and priorities of local administration, the funding of integration programmes, and the resources allocated to the Ausländerbehörde. It can make the bureaucratic environment more or less welcoming. But it cannot:
If you hold a valid residence permit, your legal status is not automatically changed by a regional election result. That said, the practical and emotional environment can shift significantly.
Deportations in Germany are carried out under federal law, not state law. A regional government cannot order or execute deportations outside this framework. If you hold a valid Aufenthaltstitel, your legal right to remain in Germany is governed by federal rules and cannot be revoked by a state government. For questions specific to your situation, consult your Ausländerbehörde or an immigration lawyer.
This is a personal decision that depends on your individual circumstances, your legal status, and your own assessment of the environment. What is clear is that your legal residency rights under federal law are not directly changed by a regional election result. However, if you feel unsafe or unwelcome, you have every right to seek support or legal advice. Organisations such as Caritas and Diakonie provide support to migrants — look up their official websites for contact details in your area.
Several organisations in Germany support migrants facing discrimination or threats. Weisser Ring supports crime victims, and the Antidiskriminierungsstelle des Bundes (Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency) handles discrimination complaints. Look up their official websites for current contact details and advice.
The fear spreading through eastern German migrant communities ahead of this regional election is real and human — even if some of the AfD's stated goals exceed what a state government can legally deliver. Staying informed, understanding your legal rights under federal law, and knowing which organisations can support you are the most important things you can do right now.
If you have concerns about your residence status, do not rely on political news alone — speak directly with your Ausländerbehörde or a qualified immigration lawyer. And if you experience discrimination or feel threatened, reach out to a support organisation.
Source: The Local
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