Germany: Colombian family gets short extension, fate uncertain

 

The Colombian Arango family in Germany remains under threat of deportation despite receiving a short extension of their temporary stay until January 9.

Residents of Neuhims in Kaiserslautern have strongly supported the family’s integration. The children are well settled in school and kindergarten, have friends, and take part in local activities such as football and fire brigade training.

Their asylum request was rejected as authorities did not recognize a concrete danger in Colombia. Officials are now considering whether the parents could obtain work permits instead. In theory, they could return to Colombia, apply for a work visa at the German embassy in Bogotá, and re-enter – but their lawyer Alexander Dau doubts this is feasible.

The lack of passports for the children has delayed deportation. The family has filed a hardship application (Härtefallantrag), and the humanitarian commission will decide their future in the coming weeks.

Sources - Agencies