ABSTRACT
Germany is a country known for its strict migration control and rejection of regularization schemes. Immigration was and still is mainly perceived as problematic and threatening. Accordingly, in spite of the European fundamental freedom of movement, transitional arrangements are introduced that limit access to the German labour market for workers from new EU member states. The national policy towards unwanted immigration is dominated by a preference for and rhetoric of rejection, non-integration and removal. German governments declare a willingness to maintain a strict position with regard to irregular immigration. Social and humanitarian issues are acknowledged but are simultaneously treated as the responsibility of civil society, including churches and charity. These organizations partly accept the responsibility but complain that the state tries to dispose of its humanitarian and human rights obligations. Among other things, civil society organizations demand: a more liberal policy in the areas of family migration, refugee reception and labour migration in order to reduce irregular entries.
