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'Remigration': How a word threatens to change migration views in Germany

Political analysts warn that embedding the term remigration into mainstream political discussions allows its connotations to flow into public discourse and the collective national psyche. In this way, remigration is not limited to stricter immigration policies, but to redefining who belongs in Germany.

The term "remigration" was primarily used in migration studies to describe the voluntary return of migrants and foreigners to their home countries. In recent months, the term "remigration" began emerging in everyday conversation and debate in Germany, carrying a political charge of exclusion. The beginnings of the political leanings of "remigration" became widely known when the investigative news outlet Correctiv exposed a meeting between right-wing extremists and AfD officials in November 2023.

Most recently, remigration gained traction in far-right rhetoric through Alternative for Germany (AfD) leader Alice Weidel who called for "large-scale repatriations" and claimed remigration as a centerpiece of the party’s campaign platform. Remigration was effectively repurposed to push an exclusionary agenda.

The AfD called for the mass deportation of 250,000 foreigners "required to leave the country", including those with criminal backgrounds. They also called for reviewing and revoking humanitarian residency, calling for citizens of Afghanistan and Syria to return to their countries which they claimed are now safe.

Beyond the possible legalization of mass deportation programs, according to DaMost, a broader implementation of "remigration" might include attempts by the AfD to make life more difficult for people with a migration history, such as bureaucratic hurdles, discrimination or pressure to question their identity as ‘non-German’.

DaMost says that such a policy would specifically target people who may feel they are part of society in Germany and pressure them to ‘doubt’ their belonging. "The effects would be dramatic: an increase in fear, plans to emigrate and social division. It is to be expected that this will primarily affect people who are already marginalized. Solidarity with these people is crucial in order to combat this development," DaMost says.

https://www.infomigrants.net/en/post/63039/remigration-how-a-word-threatens-to-change-migration-views-in-germany