From Refugee to Prison: The Challenges of German Migration Policy in the Case of Amir N

Amir N, a young Afghan man who came to Germany as a refugee at the age of 10, finds himself in prison at 18. Despite being the boss of a notorious drug gang known as the “315er,” Amir wears flashy jewelry and feels untouchable. But his criminal activities have caught up with him, and he was recently arrested for possession of a firearm by a special police unit.

Amir’s residence permit has been repeatedly extended by German authorities despite his known criminal behavior. The Senate’s answers to inquiries about his case reveal the challenges of German migration policy. Despite being a known criminal, he has been granted extensions to his residence permit multiple times.

The public prosecutor’s office is currently investigating Amir for several crimes, including robbery, bodily harm, coercion, threats, and drug trafficking. Politicians such as Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and Minister Cem Özdemir have made statements emphasizing that criminals who seek refuge in Germany should not expect leniency and may be required to leave the country.

The future of Amir N will depend on his criminal activities and how authorities respond to the case. Politicians have an opportunity to show whether their promises to address criminal behavior among refugees will be followed by concrete action. The case of Amir N serves as a test of the effectiveness of migration policies in dealing with persistent criminal offenders.