In January, I was shocked to receive a letter from the Berlin Immigration Office, stating I lost my right of movement due to my involvement with the pro-Palestine movement. As a Polish citizen in Berlin, I figured deporting an EU national was nearly impossible. I sought legal advice, and upon discovering that others faced similar threats, we filed a lawsuit against the unfounded deportation orders.
By early March, our lawyers received chilling letters demanding we leave Germany by 21 April or face forcible removal. The allegations stem from protests against the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, yet none of us have a criminal record. The letters pointedly label us as threats to national security, supported by vague accusations linking us to “antisemitism” and “terrorist organisations.”
Germany’s historical use of migration law is alarming, especially as the Federal Office for Migration recently halted asylum processing for those from Gaza. A looming court case may further endorse deportations of asylum seekers. The ongoing narrative isn’t merely fringe but reflects a prolonged agenda by Germany’s ruling coalition and media, aimed at intensifying deportations targeting the pro-Palestinian movement, especially within its Arab and Muslim communities.
In November 2024, a member of the far-right applauded the passing of a resolution that outlined measures against perceived antisemitism, labelling immigrants from the Middle East as a threat. This motion permits excessive control over pro-Palestinian discourse, threatening culture, academia, and migration rights.
My deportation order explicitly cites Germany’s Staatsräson, intertwining state security with Israel’s interests, justifying our removal. To combat this blatant intimidation, we have gone public and filed legal motions against the deportations. Despite the severity of these actions, our responsibility remains clear: to advocate against injustices faced by Palestinians, regardless of potential reprisals.
Despite the daunting precedent set by these deportations, we will not be disheartened but continue to stand resolutely with the Palestinian struggle for liberation, emphasising that solidarity transcends fear.
Kasia Wlaszczyk, Cultural Worker, Berlin
This article was updated on 9 April to clarify the broader impact of the court case.
Kasia Wlaszczyk recounts her experience of receiving a deportation order in Germany for her pro-Palestine activism. Alongside others facing similar threats, they filed lawsuits against the order, which cites unfounded accusations of terrorism and antisemitism. The backdrop includes a disturbing rise in state repression against pro-Palestinian movements, with the German government increasingly using migration law as a tool of control. Despite the challenges, Wlaszczyk urges solidarity with the Palestinian struggle, rejecting fear-based resignation.
In this poignant reflection on current deportation orders targeting pro-Palestine activists in Germany, Kasia Wlaszczyk highlights not only personal struggles faced by herself and others but also a worrying trend of state repression against pro-Palestinian movements. Despite facing legal challenges grounded in vague accusations, Wlaszczyk remains steadfast in advocating for Palestinian rights, urging others to join in solidarity rather than succumb to fear. The intertwining of migration laws and national security raises critical ethical questions about freedom of expression and the treatment of activists.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
