The reform of the European Union's asylum system comes into force on June 12, but implementation is progressing slowly. So far, only the federal states of Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt have submitted concrete plans to create secondary migration centers. These facilities will house asylum seekers who already enjoy protection in another EU member state, a key step to streamline returns within the bloc.
Secondary centers: technical logic and data management 🏢
These centers will function as administrative verification nodes. Their goal is to cross-reference national databases with the Eurodac system to identify individuals with prior protection status. The infrastructure will include biometric systems and a direct connection with the authorities of the country that issued the protection. The operational flow provides for a maximum stay of four weeks to process the transfer. However, the lack of bilateral agreements and technical capacity in other states delays the effectiveness of the system at the pan-European level.
Germany: two ready, the rest doing flexibility yoga 🧘
While Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt already have the plans on the table, the rest of the Länder seem to be in an advanced phase of meditation on the matter. It's like organizing a move where only two neighbors have bought boxes and the rest are still debating whether the move is legal. German bureaucracy, famous for its efficiency, shows that even to do what the EU orders, you have to wait for them to finish their coffee. Of course, the centers promise to be as welcoming as a tax office on a Monday morning.