Overview

Two parallel migration flows shaped the immigration to Germany in the second half of the last century: In the 1960s and early 1970s, in response to labour shortages prompted by economic revival, Germany recruited guest workers (Gastarbeiter) from countries in South and Southeast Europe. Although the majority returned to their home countries, many immigrants remained, and Germany gradually developed from a country that accommodated guest workers to a country with regulated immigration. Ethnic Germans repatriated to Germany, or (Spät-)Aussiedler, constitute the second major group of immigrants. These migrants mainly hailed from Poland, Romania and the former Soviet Union.

Over the past two decades, progress has been made with regard to the integration of immigrants. Acquiring German citizenship has been simplified and promoted and a new immigration law from 2005 provides a legal framework that considers all aspects of immigration policy. The public and private sectors have begun to enact the new law and to implement concrete measures relating to labour migration, humanitarian resettlement, integration of foreigners in society and the harmonization of legal procedures within the European Union.

In addition to implementing assisted voluntary return and resettlement programmes, IOM Germany is actively involved in the areas of counter trafficking, integration of migrants and migration and development.

Movement, Emergency and Post-conflict Migration Management

IOM facilitates the movement of war refugees for permanent resettlement in third countries. Also migrants who would like to return to their country of origin, but are not eligible to obtain specific return assistance, as well as German emigrants, students and employees of NGOs, can be supported through reduced airfares offered by IOM.

Moreover the IOM Mission in Germany is making an effort to mobilize funds for IOM’s emergency humanitarian aid and post-crisis activities.

Projects

• Special Migrants Assistance Program (SMAP)
• United States Refugee Admission Programme (USRAP)
• Emergency Assistance for migrants returning from Libya
• Direct Psychosocial Care for Chadian Returnees  who have fled the Crisis in Libya and other vulnerable persons in areas of high return
• Social Reintegration of Returnees through Community Stabilization in Areas of high Return (Chad)
• Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) in Iraq

Regulating Migration

IOM assists migrants who return voluntarily to their countries of origin by providing logistical and financial support for the travel and, where possible, referring for further reintegration assistance in the respective countries of origin. IOM also offers counselling on the possibilities of a voluntary return, as well as return-related information on the situation in countries of origin. Migrants interested in third country migration are referred to specialized NGOs. The return assistance is offered within the Reintegration and Return Programme for Asylum-Seekers in Germany (REAG) / Government Assisted Repatriation Program (GARP), implemented by IOM since 1979.

Projects

• Reintegration and Return Programme for Asylum-Seekers in Germany (REAG)
• Government Assisted Repatriation Program (GARP)
• Promoting Voluntary Returns Through Counselling (ZIRF)
• Centre for Returnee Information and Counselling in Berlin and Reintegration Component Vietnam
• Reintegr-Action – Pilot Initiative to Test Feasible and Sustainable Joint Reintegration Measures from the EU
• KRG Reintegration  of Returnees from Germany

Facilitating Migration

Strategies to aid the adjustment of migrants to their new environment in destination countries can reinforce the positive effects of migration for origin and destination communities alike. Successful integration is a two-way social, economic, cultural and political adaptation process. It helps to mitigate potential community conflicts resulting from discrimination and xenophobia that are often born out of a lack of knowledge and understanding of different cultures.

Projects

• Pilot Interreligious and Interfaith Cultural Orientation Courses for Leaders of Religious Migrant Communities (REKORD)

Migration and Development

The connection between migration and development is an ever-growing important field for the IOM. This involves allowing migrants to become active participants in the sustainable development of their country of origin. In Germany IOM is involved in creating networks to the diaspora community by providing opportunities for migrants to share their expertise attained abroad. Furthermore IOM Germany and its partners support the creation of network of the diaspora in Germany, with special focus on strengthening diaspora organizations led by women.

Projects

• Migration and Development in the Western Balkan (MIDWEB)
• Capacity Building Workshop for Women Leaders of Diaspora Associations
• Linking the Ghanaian Diaspora to the Development of Ghana
• DEED Project

Last updated:
Main text: October 2012
Facts and figures: May 2012