Requests for church asylum in Germany have surged dramatically, with some regions reporting a fourfold increase, according to the Protestant Church in Germany (EKD). The rise is attributed to growing concerns over deportations, as the new government plans to ramp up deportations of asylum seekers.
Dietlind Jochims, chairwoman of the German Ecumenical Committee on Church Asylum, highlighted the rising fear among individuals with uncertain residency status, leading to a sharp increase in church asylum requests. In the first quarter of 2025, 617 asylum seekers were granted church protection, slightly up from 604 during the same period in 2024.
Churches in Germany have long provided temporary shelter to rejected asylum seekers, offering protection from deportation while their cases are reconsidered. However, this practice has faced increasing scrutiny, with some political figures pushing for stricter deportation policies. As a result, asylum seekers in churches have been increasingly threatened with police evictions, and church officials have faced penalties for offering sanctuary.
Despite this, the EKD continues to defend church asylum, emphasizing its humanitarian basis. Christian Stäblein, Protestant refugee commissioner, reiterated that asylum is only granted after careful consideration and as a last resort to allow those seeking protection a chance to have their cases heard.
