Germany deports 135 Iraqi migrants in first three months of 2026: Ministry

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Germany deported at least 135 Iraqi nationals, including Kurds, between January and March this year, a German interior ministry spokesperson confirmed to Rudaw on Thursday.

“Between January 1 and March 31, 135 Iraqis were deported,” the spokesperson said.

Berlin has intensified migration enforcement measures in recent months, increasing deportations and border returns despite criticism from opposition parties and human rights groups.

Germany nevertheless remains a key destination for migrants from across the Middle East attempting to reach Europe, often through dangerous smuggling networks.

The country also offers a voluntary return program that provides financial and logistical assistance to migrants who choose to return home or relocate to a third country. Families opting for voluntary return can receive up to €4,000 in support.

Asked about the number of Kurds and Yazidis among those deported, the spokesperson said “ethnic identity is not recorded in the basic federal statistics.”

The spokesperson added that decisions on residency rights and the implementation of deportation orders fall under the authority of Germany’s individual states.

Berlin maintains that Iraqi citizens without legal residency status are required to leave the country and may face deportation.

Germany and Iraq continue to hold talks on migration cooperation, particularly on expanding voluntary return and reintegration programs supported by Germany and the European Union.

In January 2025, the German parliament approved a controversial migration bill aimed at tightening enforcement measures. The legislation included provisions to curb illegal immigration, accelerate deportations, remove foreign criminals, detain individuals facing removal orders, and restrict family reunification.

Official data released to the Left Party faction in October last year showed that 328 Iraqis, including 18 minors, were deported during the first half of 2025.

Kurds from Iraq and Turkey have also been affected by Germany’s broader immigration crackdown, which saw more than 8,200 refugee residence permits revoked over the past year. The stricter policies have coincided with a sharp decline in asylum applications, which fell to their lowest level in a decade.

According to German government figures, citizens of Georgia, Albania, and Turkey recorded the highest deportation numbers in 2025, with more than 600 individuals removed from each country. The same nationalities also topped deportation figures in 2024, indicating a sustained enforcement policy rather than a temporary surge.