Amir N, a young Afghan man living in Hamburg, found himself in prison at the age of 18 for his involvement in a notorious drug gang. Despite wearing flashy jewelry and feeling untouchable due to his criminal activities, he was arrested by police following his possession of a firearm.
Amir came to Germany as a refugee with his family when he was ten years old. Despite this, German authorities have repeatedly extended his residence permit despite evidence of his criminal behavior. This case highlights the challenges faced by German migration policy when dealing with known criminals who seek refuge in the country.
The public prosecutor’s office is 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 seeking refuge in Germany should not expect leniency and may be required to leave the country.
The future of Amir’s case remains uncertain as it depends on the outcome of his criminal investigation and the response of authorities to the case. The decision made about Amir’s future will serve as an opportunity for politicians to demonstrate whether their promises to address criminal behavior among refugees will be followed by concrete action. The case of Amir N serves as a test for migration policies’ effectiveness in dealing with persistent criminal offenders.