Heavy is the burden of democracy. What is permitted to a tyrant is inadmissible for a democratic state. It must above all uphold human rights and assume humanitarian obligations. And all the poor and offended, all the wretched, good-for-nothing people eager to sit on the neck of a rich society know this. But they do not know – or perhaps do not want to think about it – that a democratic state is by no means an almshouse; it defends itself against parasites, especially newcomers, harshly and uncompromisingly, though, of course, not like some capricious tyrant, but in observance of democratic norms and humanitarian law. And so the outcome is what it is.
Cologne spends up to thirty million a year on feeding foreigners illegally present in the city. How does such a giant sum accumulate? It just does. Usually up to four and a half thousand illegals turn up in the city in a year. Most arrive here without a visa, as clients of the now thriving business of human smuggling. They are brought, for example, in freight trailers – disguised by goods, in empty wall and roof openings, even in refrigerated chambers. The largest suppliers of illegals for Germany are the countries of the former Yugoslavia, Turkey, Africa, and Eastern Europe. Only a few try to obtain political refugee status – proving facts of persecution is not easy, and there is almost no hope of success.
Most, however, come to the Office for Foreigners, where four years ago even a special “service point” for such clientele was established under the name Gemeinsame Anlaufstelle – conditionally it can be translated as “common reception point” or, with equal success, “drop-off point”. Here an illegal wishing to stay in Cologne receives a questionnaire, most of whose questions he tries not to answer. His trump card is the loss of documents. That is because a budding illegal usually begins his thorny path well informed.
A simple trick allows him to linger on the land of his dreams much longer than the maximum allowed four weeks. Some manage to hold out for more than a year. Democratic orders allow him to turn to a lawyer and with his help milk his “human rights” for a very long time, and along with them funds from the city treasury – because for the duration of the proceedings, the applicant is provided with a normal social benefit: almost €350 per month for expenses, housing payment, reimbursement of other necessary additional costs.
Here is the legendary but not unique case of Yusuf L. He immediately reported that he had arrived from Bosnia and had, of course, lost his documents. Officials started correspondence with the Bosnian embassy; from there they replied that Yusuf L. was not known in that country. The correspondence continued until, during an authorized inspection of the illegal's apartment, a certain certificate was found showing that its holder was a citizen of Croatia. Documents for deportation to Croatia were immediately prepared, but then Yusuf L. presented a medical report about post-traumatic syndrome he had suffered from ever since he found himself in a war zone in his homeland. At the expense of the city treasury, a repeat examination was carried out, which did not confirm the conclusions of the first one. Yusuf L. filed an objection. The litigation ended in the Higher Administrative Court in Münster with the defeat of the applicant. Again documents for deportation were prepared, but L. brings a new doctor's report according to which he belongs to a suicidal risk group. A new round begins: examination – court – objection...
In reality, the chances of being allowed to reside permanently in Germany for personal reasons are insignificant; 95% of such attempts end in deportation from the country. Yusuf L. was no exception. But two days before the finally set date, he “goes underground”, disappearing from the authorities' sight and – for now – freeing the city from further financial expenses. Or shifting them from the social welfare office to the police?
Most illegals, however, make use of public funds one last time – they get their flight home paid for. Twice a week, special charter flights depart from Düsseldorf airport. On average, 5,000 people are deported per year. At the same time, a specially appointed commissioner for the expulsion of undesirable foreigners ensures that the procedure is carried out in compliance with all humanitarian standards.
No one knows how many foreigners live illegally in Germany; estimates range widely: from one hundred thousand to a million. Some are drawn by freedom, others by the free ride. When they finally fly out of the country, by then they have managed to cost a pretty penny. But who said democracy must be cheap? All good things in this world are expensive.