FDP on migration and integration

The FDP wants a new law on skilled immigration with a points system. It should also allow a "lane change," meaning a switch, for example, from tolerated status to a residence permit for work. The background is the shortage of workers and skilled staff.

The state lacks skilled workers. The FDP wants skilled workers from abroad to come more easily. A points system should be used for this. People who are only tolerated should also be able to stay if they work.

The points system is to relate to integration requirements. The lane change is explicitly meant for people currently living in Germany with only tolerated status. The FDP also wants to promote training visas for qualified newcomers, especially for dual vocational training. The platform calls the skilled labor shortage one of the biggest challenges for the labor market.

The FDP supports legal immigration based on clear criteria and a consolidated federal immigration code. It wants faster recognition of foreign qualifications, access to dual citizenship and quicker naturalization for well-integrated people. Humanitarian protection and managed immigration are to be kept clearly separate.

The FDP says Germany is a country people immigrate to. There should be one law with clear rules for this. Degrees from other countries should be accepted faster. People should be able to hold two passports. Those who settle in very well should become citizens faster.

The party backs the agreements of the federal "traffic light" coalition and wants to support related initiatives. Foreign vocational and university qualifications are to be recognized faster and uniformly nationwide, at least in part, so that nobody has to repeat an entire training program. Those affected should be able to take on dual citizenship. With proven very good integration, naturalization should be possible sooner. A broad, low-cost range of language and integration courses is meant to improve language skills quickly.

The FDP wants to extend integration programs to people moving in from other EU countries. It argues that many arrive unprepared and end up in precarious jobs, and that they do not use programs that cost money.

People from other EU countries may live and work in Germany. Many come unprepared and have poor jobs. The FDP wants to offer them free language courses. They should also get advice and integration courses.

According to the program, family members often move along as well. It calls for advice services at the point of registering a residence and for free language courses. School-age children are to receive half a year of language instruction in German as a second language (DaZ). People who cannot read or write are to be placed in suitable education programs. Integration courses are also part of the demand.

The FDP wants people fleeing war or individual persecution to keep receiving protection in Germany. Refugees are to get early access to language and integration courses and to the labor market. Those who integrate especially well and support themselves financially should be able to switch from refugee status to regular immigration.

People fleeing war or persecution should get protection in Germany. Refugees should learn German and start working quickly. Those who are well integrated and earn their own money should be allowed to stay. This is called a change of track. Towns should get federal money for this.

The change of track (Spurwechsel) is also to be possible after a failed asylum procedure. If the state does not enforce the duty to leave, the FDP wants people with tolerated status to get a reliable outlook instead of years of uncertainty. Municipalities are to receive adequate support for housing and language courses, including from the federal government. The program calls for courses informing women and girls about their rights and for secure funding of volunteer integration projects. The criteria for safe countries of origin are to be more differentiated so that asylum claims on individual grounds such as religion or sexuality remain possible. Procedures and housing for LGBTIQ refugees are to be safe.

The FDP calls for consistently returning people who neither qualify for protection nor meet the requirements of immigration law. Decisions on the right to stay are to be carried out quickly. Before someone is placed in pre-deportation custody, an electronic ankle monitor is to be considered first.

Some people have no right to protection in Germany. They also do not meet the rules for immigration. The FDP wants these people to leave the country. Instead of detention, an ankle monitor should be checked first. People who misuse welfare should face penalties.

The ankle monitor is to be used when it ensures monitoring until departure just as well as custody would. Where social benefits are claimed improperly, sanctions are to be imposed consistently, as in other cases. The party justifies the quick implementation of decisions on the right to stay by saying people should not remain in tolerated status for years.