VIENNA, Austria – The new Austrian government announced on Wednesday that it will temporarily halt family reunion procedures for migrants, citing limited capacities to absorb newcomers effectively. Chancellor Christian Stocker from the conservative Austrian People’s Party emphasized the need to better integrate migrants already in the country through this measure. This decision comes as part of the government’s efforts to prevent overloading and ensure the successful integration of existing migrants with protected status, who are not subject to deportation.
The three-party coalition, comprising the People’s Party, the center-left Social Democrats, and the liberal Neos, has made curbing migration one of its top priorities. Recent official figures show a significant decrease in the number of migrants arriving in Austria for family reunion procedures, with 7,762 arrivals in 2022 and 9,254 in 2023, primarily consisting of minors.
Those in the asylum process or with deportation orders are now prohibited from bringing family members from their countries of origin, as Austria takes steps to protect its educational system, integration efforts, and overall societal security. The Austrian chancellery highlighted that most recent asylum seekers came from Syria and Afghanistan, with the country having a population of 9 million inhabitants.
In a broader European context, many governments have been adopting stricter measures to reduce the influx of migrants, marking a significant shift from the welcoming approach seen a decade ago. The European Union is also focusing on accelerating deportations for rejected asylum-seekers, with a recent proposal aiming to establish “return hubs” in third countries to facilitate the process. Despite ongoing challenges, only 20% of individuals with deportation orders are effectively removed from EU territory, according to the European Commission.
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner emphasized the sustainability of Austria’s decision to pause family reunions, noting the successful reduction in such reunifications since last summer. The government has already communicated its new measures to the EU, signaling a coordinated effort to address migration challenges within the bloc. As the debate surrounding migration policies continues to evolve, countries like Austria are taking proactive steps to manage their borders and ensure the effective integration of existing migrant populations.