The Federal Office and its Tasks. Centre of Excellence for Asylum, Migration and Integration

Transcription

1 The Federal Office and its Tasks Centre of Excellence for Asylum, Migration and Integration

2 2 3 Federal Office s decision on the asylum application, as well as the initial advice on access to the labour market by the local Employment Agency. The authority The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) is the Centre of Excellence for Asylum, Migration and Integration in Germany. It has a diverse spectrum of tasks today: The Federal Office is responsible for implementing asylum proceedings and for granting refugee protection in Germany. At the same time, it coordinates the promotion of integration at national level. Furthermore, the range of tasks also includes migration research, this constituting a research mandate which is entrenched in law in order to obtain analytical information on managing migration. The data and information which are obtained here make it possible to competently advise policy-makers and other stakeholders within society. THE DECENTRALISED STRUCTURE The Federal Office is a federal authority within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of the Interior. With its decentralised locations, including branch offices, arrival centres and decisionmaking centres, it is in direct contact with all players in refugee protection and integration work. Arrival centres: The arrival centres are the central entry point when it comes to the asylum procedure. It is in the arrival centres that all the steps are carried out under one roof which are necessary for the asylum procedure. This includes the medical examination by the Länder, the recording of the personal data and the identity check, the application, the interview and the Branch offices/regional offices: It is in the branch offices that the Federal Office carries out the asylum procedure, with the filing of the application, the interview and the decision on more complex cases. Some branch offices, known as regional offices, offer a point of contact for the organisations operating integration activities, and are responsible for the integration work on the ground. Decision-making centres: It is in the decision-making centres that the decision is taken on the asylum applications which are ready to be decided on of those applicants who have already been interviewed. This particularly relates to applications lodged by individuals from unsafe countries of origin such as Syria, Iraq and Eritrea. The decision-making centres thus take some of the strain from the arrival centres and branch offices. QUALIFICATION OF PERSONNEL In order to successfully carry out the varied tasks, the Federal Office ensures that its staff are provided with the further training they need in an efficiently-organised manner. Newly-recruited staff are prepared for their future tasks in a Centre for Qualification. This guarantees that they have a high degree of competency. The Federal Office plays a major role in the process of intercultural opening within the federal administration. One of the goals here is to increase the share of staff with a migration background. Active diversity management promotes the inherent potential of all. A further cornerstone of personnel qualification is the intercultural awareness of all the staff at the Federal Office. The Federal Office offers various training places on an annual basis, for instance as an office management assistant, an IT specialist and as a specialist in media and information services.

3 4 5 The implementation of the asylum procedure and the decision on asylum applications The Federal Office decides on asylum applications on the basis of the Asylum Act (Asylgesetz), of the Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz), as well as of European directives and regulations. The preconditions for granting international protection (refugee protection and subsidiary protection), the existence of political persecution as defined in the Basic Law (Grundgesetz), as well as bans on deportation, are examined within the asylum procedure. The task of implementing, fair, efficient asylum procedures is incumbent on the Federal Office s decision-makers. The examination of and the decision on each asylum application rest on the fate of the individual applicant. In order to carry out this demanding task, decision-makers must have comprehensive, up-to-date knowledge of the law on asylum and residence, as well as about the country of origin. Decisionmaking aids that are used to evaluate the situation in the countries of origin, as well as official instructions, guarantee that the decision-making practice is uniform across the country. Considerable experience-based knowledge, mastery of interview techniques and a considerable amount of empathy are indispensable in an intercultural context. There are regular mandatory specialist training courses according to the European Curriculum of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO). Specific training and coaching seminars aim to impart theory and practice in dealing with conflicts and crisis situations in interviews, as well as in individual stress management. The Federal Office deploys specially-commissioned caseofficers to examine the asylum applications of particularly vulnerable individuals. They receive additional training, and have special knowledge of how to deal with this group of individuals. There are specially-commissioned case-officers for persons persecuted because of their gender, unaccompanied minors, victims of torture and victims of trauma, as well as victims of trafficking in human beings. The Quality Assurance division continually identifies best practices via quality audits and roundtable discussions with experts in Germany and abroad, and identifies where improvements can be made, then incorporating them into decision-makers further training. In order to ensure a flow of information, the Federal Office is in regular contact with recognised organisations in asylum and refugee protection such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). The Federal Office is obliged to examine whether security-related aspects rule out granting protection in individual cases or whether a need of protection that had previously been identified continues to apply. The immigration authorities are to involve the Federal Office when it comes to taking decisions on the existence of bans on deportation related to the destination country outside of the asylum procedure. Persons seeking protection have a right to an asylum procedure. However, they may not freely choose the country in which the procedure is carried out. It is ascertained in the Dublin procedure which European country is responsible for examining an asylum application. This is to ensure that each asylum application that is lodged in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein is only examined by one state.

4 6 7 Liaison staff support it by inputting their experience from the Länder. The IZAM is advised by an expert forum made up of judges and academics, lawyers, staff from authorities and non-governmental organisations. Beyond the information on the countries of origin, the IZAM works with the partner institutions in the asylum and migration authorities of other European countries and with the EASO. The IZAM also contributes towards the collection of information and networking of the European Migration Network (EMN). PRODUCTS AND SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE IZAM The Asylum and Migration Information Centre The Asylum and Migration Information Centre (IZAM) is the Federal Office s central specialist information facility. The Information Centre compiles reliable, comprehensive and upto-date information on migrants states of origin and transit, as well as on world refugee and migration movements and their causes. Literature and media reports are evaluated on the topics of integration, as well as on the law on asylum and residence, geography and human rights, in addition to sources for migration research. The Information Centre is sub-divided into a library, documentation areas and the country analysis. A team of librarians, documentalists, lawyers, political scientists and other research assistants collects and processes the information. The following range of activities is carried out with regard to the focal topics of asylum, migration, integration and returns: documentation of the press, expert reports and official information in the proceedings in accordance with the Asylum Act, case-law related to the law on asylum and residence analysis of the situation in the countries of origin and transit, as well as topical reports on current issues Information Agency for internal and external enquiries The IZAM makes its databases /information collections available via the MILo (Migrations-InfoLogistik) information system both to the staff of the Federal Office and to external users. The database of the Information Centre for Voluntary Return (ZIRF), which contains information on voluntary return and assisted returns, is integrated into MILo. MILo has more than 2,000 registered external users, including colleagues from more than 20 European countries. Anyone who is interested can also research in MILo via the Internet with a guest login.

5 8 9 Promotion and coordination of integration DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INTEGRATION COURSES Obtaining a knowledge of German is particularly important for integration. The Federal Office provides the foundation for this with the integration courses. These consist of a language course, as well as an orientation course at which attendees learn more about living in Germany and about the standards and values which apply in society. The integration courses are offered nationwide, and are implemented on the spot by private and public organisations. As well as a general course, there are also courses for special target groups, in particular for women, parents and juveniles, as well as literacy courses. The framework conditions and course concepts of the integration courses are refined on an ongoing basis. MIGRATION ADVICE FOR ADULT IMMIGRANTS The Federal Office is responsible for implementing migration counselling for adults. This counselling supplements the integration course. Adult immigrants can take up this advisory service before, during and even after the integration course. These individual counselling services initiate, manage and accompany the integration process. The national associations of independent welfare and the Federation of Expellees advise immigrants on behalf of the Federal Office within a nationwide network of counselling facilities. PROMOTING PROJECTS AND MEASURES FOR INTEGRATION WITHIN SOCIETY The Federal Office is responsible for planning and implementing programmes for linguistic, societal and vocational integration. It additionally promotes integration projects which tackle the issues arising when immigrants come into contact with the host society in everyday life. In order to reach a mutual understanding of integration, the projects are firstly to help enhance migrants skills and enable them to take part in the life of society on an equal footing. Secondly, successful cohesion within society is about approaching the host society and raising an awareness of living in a plural, culturally-diverse society. The goal is to establish a culture of welcome and mutual acknowledgement.

6 10 11 Amongst other projects, those are promoted which: improve mutual acceptance within society, encourage immigrants to take up services offered in their areas, prevent violence and crime, enhance intercultural skills, promote civic commitment, as well as involving migrants organisations more closely in integration work on the ground. The projects are carried out in cooperation with associations, foundations, clubs, migrants organisations and initiatives as well as authorities at federal, Land and local level. Funding is available for this from the Federal Ministry of the Interior and from the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth. VOCATIONAL GERMAN LANGUAGE PROMOTION Vocational German language promotion directly builds on the integration course. It is a standard instrument of the Federation s language promotion, and is implemented by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. It serves the purpose of advanced language acquisition in order to improve opportunities for integration into the first labour and training market. The measures are understood as an element relating to other labour marketrelevant further training activities, and are to facilitate both directly taking up employment or training, as well as access to further skill-building activities. The activities are implemented by selected organisations and co-operations between organisations. REGIONAL COORDINATION The regional coordinators of the Federal Office are in direct contact with the agencies which are involved in the integration events such as course providers, migration counselling agencies, immigration authorities and job centres. The Federal Office thus uses its decentralised regional office structure to sustainably interlink its integration tools with a view in mind to create a grassroots integration partnership with the activities of the Länder, the local authorities and other players. The regional coordinators also make sure that the quality standards for the integration courses, the migration counselling agencies and the projects which the Federal Office promotes, and which were developed by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, are maintained. TASKS RELATED TO THE RECEPTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF JEWISH IMMIGRANTS The Federal Office is responsible for implementing the reception and distribution procedure for Jewish immigrants from the successor states of the former Soviet Union (not including the Baltic States). Individuals who are of Jewish origin may lodge a reception application via the German diplomatic representations there so that they can enter the Federal Republic of Germany. The Federal Office examines these applications, decides on them and issues reception agreements if the legal prerequisites for this apply. THE GERMAN ISLAM CONFERENCE The German Islam Conference is the most important forum between the German State and Muslims living in Germany. As a dialogue forum that was established for the long term, the Conference provides an institutionalised framework for maintaining relations between the German State and Muslims in Germany. Together with representatives of the Muslims, representatives of the Federation, the Länder and the local authorities, led by the Federal Ministry of the Interior, draw up practice-orientated solutions for successful co-existence. Relevant topics include promoting sex equality and preventing extremism, radicalisation and the polarisation of society.

7 12 13 Focal topics include religious participation, welfare and pastoral care. The German Islam Conference aims to improve the dialogue between the State and Muslims, and hence to make a contribution towards the social integration of Muslims as well as their integration under the law on religion, and towards social coherence in Germany. initial advice on questions related to immigration, integration and looking for employment. The staff refer enquirers to the appropriate contacts where necessary. The hotline is available from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on: +49 (0) As the secretariat of the German Islam Conference, the Federal Office supports this process in both organisational and content terms. One activity is the Conference s website ( the editorial team of which is at the Federal Office, and which presents topics and discussions from the German Islam Conference to a broad public. INFORMATION AND SERVICE REGARDING INTEGRATION The website of the Federal Office offers comprehensive information relating to the topic of asylum, migration and integration at: The Information Service answers further questions on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the following telephone number: +49 (0) HOTLINE: WORKING AND LIVING IN GERMANY The staff from the Working and living in Germany hotline advise qualified specialists, students, as well as companies and authorities, in both German and English on the topics of: looking for employment, work and working life recognition of foreign vocational qualifications entering the country and residence learning German The hotline is run jointly by the Federal Office and the Central Placement Office for Work Abroad and Specialist Workers of the Federal Employment Agency, and offers comprehensive

8 14 15 Prevention THE ADVICE CENTRE ON RADICALISATION The Advice Centre on Radicalisation, which has been set up in the Federal Office, offers support, assistance and advice for individuals who notice Islamist-motivated radicalisation in their personal surroundings, are worried about the individuals and have questions regarding this set of topics. The Advice Centre furthermore provides contacts with various advice facilities and networks on the ground. The staff of the Advice Centre on Radicalisation can be reached from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the following number:: +49 (0) as well as at beratung@bamf.bund.de THE PREVENTION AND COOPERATION CLEARING CENTRE The Prevention and Cooperation Clearing Centre improves the cooperation between the security authorities of the Federation and the Länder and the Muslim organisations by establishing a nationwide network of contact persons. You can find more information on the tasks and activities of the Clearing Centre, as well as examples of good cooperation, at You can find more information at

9 16 17 Accompanying academic research on migration, integration and asylum The Federal Office s Research Centre carries out large numbers of research projects on topics related to migration, integration and asylum. Orientated towards the core tasks of the Federal Office, priority is given here to studying the impact of migration processes on society. The tasks carried out by the Research Centre are analysis, evaluation and policy advice. The research also accompanies the process of the integration of people with a migration background in Germany, and helps towards refining integration activities at federal level. Other research areas include the socioeconomic impact of immigration, the connection between migration and demographic change, and worldwide migration. QUALITY ASSURANCE AND ACADEMIC NETWORKS Recent research results are published and presented within our own events, and discussed with representatives from Academia as well as with practitioners. In order to carry out these tasks, the Research Centre in the Federal Office works with academic institutions both in Germany and abroad. As the central state agency for questions related to migration and integration research, the Research Centre contributes towards the transfer of information between Academia, the administration, policy-makers, industry and the public. Both national and international academic networking is carried out by the Federal Office s Research Centre, amongst other things as the headquarters of the national Contact Point of the European Migration Network (EMN). The latter provides the Member States and the institutions of the EU with information on migration and asylum that is scientifically objective, reliable and comparable. The work of the Research Centre is supported by an Academic Advisory Council.

10 18 19 Data collection THE MAINTENANCE OF THE CENTRAL REGISTER OF FOREIGNERS The Federal Office is the competent registration authority for the Central Register of Foreigners. This is one of the largest automated registers of the public administration in Germany, and is used by more than 6,000 partner authorities. The storage and transmission of personal data particularly support authorities which carry out tasks related to residence or asylum. Statistical information which is derived from the data contained in the Register is used as a basis for setting goals and taking decisions within migration policy. In this regard, the Federal Office is the data supplier and the central service point for Federal and Land authorities, as well as for the European statistical authority EUROSTAT. The Register is made up of two separate data stocks: a general stock of data and a visa file. The general data stock is used to store data on foreigners who are in Germany for a longer period (more than 90 days), have filed an asylum application, who were expelled or where reservations apply with regard to their entering the country. The Register s visa file is used to store data on foreigners who have applied to a German diplomatic representation for a visa. IMPROVING THE STATE OF KNOWLEDGE ON MIGRATION Statistical data are collected, processed and evaluated in the Federal Office which are relevant in terms of policy on asylum, migration and integration. The Federal Office regards itself not only as a provider of numbers, but also as a service-provider advising on fundamental statistical issues and on how the statistical services can be refined. This constitutes a major contribution towards policy advice, as well as towards the debate on asylum, migration and integration.

11 20 21 COOPERATION WITH THE EUROPEAN ASYLUM SUPPORT OFFICE (EASO) International tasks Asylum and migration policy is now subject to European influences to a considerable degree, and the law on asylum is harmonised at European level. In order to manage legal migration and combat illegal migration, legal acts have been handed down at EU level. These and other fields of asylum and migration policy are also financially promoted and influenced by the EU through a variety of programmes. The international work of the Federal Office is revealed in the cooperation with the partners and European institutions in order to also effectively implement the legal norms in practice. At the same time, the Federal Office observes, analyses and evaluates the legislation, case-law and legal developments in the Member States. The Federal Office also sets the main points when it comes to implementing European programmes. The Federal Ministry of the Interior is supported by the Federal Office in carrying out its international tasks, for instance in the preparation of German negotiating positions in the competent bodies of the Council. The Federal Office operates as the national Contact Point for the European Asylum Support Office. The EASO is to help better implement the Common European Asylum System (CEAS), and to strengthen practical cooperation among the EU Member States on asylum. Moreover, Member States whose asylum and reception systems are under particular pressure are supported with operative measures. Asylum and support teams are also deployed. In carrying out its role as the National Contact Point, after an appeal for experts has been initiated via the EASO calling for support to be provided to a Member State, the Federal Office examines whether it can provide its own experts for these activities. The support activity itself is then coordinated by the EASO and implemented in the enquiring Member State with the experts who are made available. The EASO additionally carries out a large number of thematic events, in which the Federal Office also participates. It also guides the development of training modules of the EASO training curriculum, with which staff are trained in the field of asylum. ADMINISTRATION OF THE ASYLUM, MIGRATION AND INTEGRATION FUND The Federal Office was tasked for the promotional period 2014 to 2020 with the administration of the European Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) as an authority with responsibility for EU tasks. The goal of the Fund is to support the European Union in implementing a joint European asylum system and promoting the integration of third-country nationals, legal migration and returns. Roughly 208 million Euro were allocated to the Federal Republic of Germany for this task for the entire promotional period, and this sum is being managed by the Federal Office.

12 22 23 Support is primarily given to projects which improve the reception conditions for asylum seekers, promote the initial integration and equal opportunities of third-country nationals in Germany, or which improve voluntary return and sustainable reintegration. Interested project organisations are advised by staff members of the Federal Office. INTERNATIONAL NETWORKING AND COMMITTEE WORK European and international information exchange guarantees objective, reliable, comparable information on migration and asylum. The Federal Office maintains contact and an exchange of information with European and international bodies in order to improve cooperation. It also operates as a National Contact Point for the EASO and the EMN. The Federal Office is furthermore represented at the General Directors Immigration Services Conference (GDISC). The Federal Office operates as the National Contact within the EMN. The Contact Point engages in a lively exchange with the Member States and the institutions of the EU, providing objective, reliable, comparable information on migration and asylum. The GDISC is an amalgam of migration authorities in Europe within an informal network at General Director level. The aim in mind is to both facilitate and promote practical cooperation between the migration authorities of the participant states, and to operate as a forum for an exchange of experience and best practices, as well as to establish networks of experts. RECOGNITION OF FOREIGN RESEARCH FACILITIES In transposition of the EU s Directive 2005/71/EC (Researchers Directive), the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees carries out the recognition procedure for research facilities in order to conclude hosting agreements with researchers from third countries (section 20 of the Residence Act). This forms part of a special admission procedure for researchers from such countries, which is to enable them to stay in Germany for more than three months for research purposes. The Federal Office has an Advisory Council on Migration Research at its disposal which is made up of nine high-ranking voluntary members from the political arena, Academia, research and industry. RESETTLEMENT HUMANITARIAN RECEPTION RELOCATION The Federal Office is responsible for implementing the resettlement procedure. Resettlement is the permanent reception of persons from third countries in which those concerned have initially sought protection but where they have no prospects of becoming integrated and are unable to return to their home countries. People are received in Germany in the humanitarian reception procedure who have fled their home countries because of crises and are unable able to return there in either the short or long term. The relocation procedure is used to redistribute asylumseekers from EU Member States which are under particular strain to other Member States. This is intended to guarantee that the refugees are fairly distributed across Europe. PROMOTING VOLUNTARY RETURNS Voluntary return is a migration policy management tool. Its coordination is a matter for the Federal Office, and has been carried out since December 2014 by the Federation-Länder Coordination Agency for Integrated Return Management (BLK-IRM). The Coordination Agency coordinates the work of a variety of players and practitioners from the Federation, the Länder and the local authorities in voluntary return, as well as in removal, transfers within the Dublin procedure, and reintegration. In the interest of the persons obliged to depart, and of the authorities, this is to guarantee a uniform, transparent, humane return procedure.

13 24 25 The Federation and the Länder support voluntary return by means of a large number of promotional measures: The REAG / GARP humanitarian assistance programme (Reintegration and Emigration Programme for Asylum-Seekers in Germany/Government Assisted Repatriation Programme) supports persons who are willing to return by granting financial travel benefits and meeting transport costs, as well as providing initial aid. REAG / GARP is also a model for various return programmes in other European countries. In addition to this fundamental programme, the Federal Office offers further reintegration projects which above all take specific situations in certain countries of origin into consideration. In the European Reintegration Instrument Network (ERIN) return initiative, the Federal Office takes advantage of the synergies in cooperation with other Member States in order to improve returnees reintegration. Local partners in the crisis regions provide direct assistance. The Federal Office supports people with the Kosovo URA2 return project after they have returned, including in seeking work and by providing psychological guidance. Voluntary return can only take place on the basis of comprehensive advice. The Federal Office offers extensive information regarding the various countries of origin to potential returnees as well as to the various return advice centres via the Information Centre for Voluntary Return (ZIRF). The database provides information on vocational prospects, promotional programmes and contacts. What is more, ZIRF counselling enables potential returnees to turn to the Federal Office with their individual questions. STAFF DEPLOYMENTS ABROAD The exchange of liaison staff with migration authorities in selected EU Member States improves the flow of information in asylum, migration, integration and returns, and enhances cooperation in implementing European legal norms. The liaison staff furthermore also mediates between the Member States in the implementation of the Dublin Regulation, whilst also promoting a mutual exchange of best practices between the partner authorities. The Federal Office deploys liaison staff at selected German diplomatic representations to provide support in carrying out their specialist tasks. The deployment takes place on the basis of an agreement between the Federal Ministry of the Interior and the Federal Foreign Office intended to accelerate the asylum procedures. As the Federal Office s specialist tasks developed, the profile of tasks of the liaison staff was also adjusted to respond to changing needs and to the requirements of the Federal Ministry of the Interior. In addition to the original tasks, such as supporting the Federal Foreign Office in ascertaining the situation in the deployment country in terms of asylum and returns, in granting visas, as well as in obtaining information for the Federal Office and for the administrative courts, the liaison staff also carry out essential tasks with regard to returns and migration. These include observing the further development of returnees and coordinating activities related to voluntary return and forced returns.

14 26 27 Glossary AMIF...Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund BAMF...Federal Office for Migration and Refugees EASO...European Asylum Support Office EMN...European Migration Network ERIN...European Reintegration Instrument Network ESF...European Social Fund EU...European Union GDISC...General Directors Immigration Services Conference IOM...International Organisation for Migration IZAM...Asylum and Migration Information Centre MILo...Migration-InfoLogistik REAG/GARP...Reintegration and Emigration Programme for Asylum-Seeker in Germany/Government Assisted Repatriation Programme UNHCR...United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees ZIRF...Information Centre for Voluntary Return IMPRINT Published by Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) Frankenstr. 210 D Nürnberg Tel.: +49 (0) Fax: +49 (0) Available from Publications office of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees Overall responsibility Public relations, internal communication Division Printed by Silber Druck OHG Am Waldstrauch 1, D Niestertal Design KonzeptQuartier GmbH Schwabacher Str. 261, D Fürth Photo credits Federal Office for Migration and Refugees: cover photo: BAMF; pp. 2/3: BAMF; pp. 4/5: Simon Hofmann; pp. 8/9: Torsten Hönig; pp. 13: BAMF; pp. 14/15 Katy Otto; pp. 16/17: BAMF; istock: pp. 6/7: manley099; pp. 18/19 NicoElNino; pp. 20/21: manley099 Edited by Lena Thiem, Public relations, internal communication Division Valid as of August 2016

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