As US shuts door, Germany welcomes fresh batch of Afghan applicants

On Thursday evening, 71 Afghans arrived by plane in Hanover and Berlin from the Pakistani capital Islamabad, a ministry spokeswoman said.

This was the 10th time since the change of Germany's government in May that Afghan nationals were admitted under the programme, despite Chancellor Friedrich Merz's efforts to limit migration numbers.

Of the latest group, 63 did not have final court decisions obliging Germany to admit them and issue the necessary visas. All 71 received a legally binding commitment to enter the country and completed the admission procedure and a security check, the spokeswoman said.

Just under 1,900 Afghans from various admission programmes are still hoping to be accepted into Germany.

They include former local staff and their families who worked for German institutions before the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan more than four years ago, as well as other at-risk groups such as human rights lawyers and journalists.

Pakistan has given Germany until the end of the year to complete the admission procedures. After that, the people will be deported to Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced a complete halt to US admissions for all people from "Third World Countries," after the shooting of two National Guard officers in Washington, allegedly by a 29-year-old Afghan national.

Following the shooting on Wednesday, the Trump administration said processing of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals would be suspended "effective immediately."

(In arrangement with DPA)