Over a tenth of deported individuals are minors
In the heart of Europe, Germany has continued its practice of deporting refugees, with a significant focus on children and families. The traffic light coalition years (2021-2025) have seen this trend persist, despite growing concerns about the welfare of these vulnerable groups.
Recent comments from Dietmar Bartsch, a prominent member of The Left, have highlighted the increasing number of school-age children being deported from Germany. Bartsch stated that more children were deported in the first half of 2025 than in an entire year in the past. He emphasized, "Children belong in school, not on deportation flights."
Data from 2025 shows that 11,807 people were deported in the first half of the year, with 11,4% of those being children and adolescents. This is a stark increase compared to previous years. In 2023, 1,345 children and adolescents were among the 12,945 total deportees, representing 10.4% of the total. The number of children and adolescents deported in 2022 is not specified.
Bartsch questioned the logic of deporting children who are learning, growing, and integrating into German society. He highlighted that these children could potentially be the skilled workers of tomorrow and their families.
The broader European context shows increased use of externalisation policies, where border control and asylum management are outsourced to non-EU countries to reduce irregular arrivals. These policies affect vulnerable groups such as women and children, leading to concerns about safeguarding their rights and protection.
Negative mental health consequences of child deportation and detention have been increasingly recognized. Consequently, there is increasing advocacy to end detention of children and families entirely.
Germany’s political climate during the traffic light coalition focused on humanitarian support to hosting countries, but deportation practices have continued, reflecting a balance between humanitarian aid and migration control. The exact recent trends in numbers or causes specifically in Germany remain underrepresented in publicly available sources up to mid-2025.
As the debate on child deportations continues, it is crucial to consider the long-term impact on these children, their families, and German society as a whole. The future of child refugee policies in Germany remains a pressing issue, with calls for policy alternatives growing louder.
- The practice of deporting children and families, including school-age children, has persisted in Germany during the traffic light coalition years (2021-2025), despite growing concerns about mental health and the welfare of these vulnerable groups.
- Dietmar Bartsch, a prominent member of The Left, highlighted the increasing number of school-age children being deported from Germany, stating that more children had been deported in the first half of 2025 than in an entire year in the past, and emphasizing that children belong in school, not on deportation flights.
- Data from 2025 shows that 11,807 people were deported in the first half of the year, with 1,349 of them being children and adolescents, representing a stark increase compared to previous years.
- The debate on child deportations in Germany continues, with calls for policy alternatives growing louder, as it is crucial to consider the long-term impact on these children, their families, and German society as a whole, particularly regarding their education, mental health, and integration into society.
