Increased Processing Times for Naturalization Application Submissions

Increased Delays in the Processing of Naturalization Applications - Increase in processing time for naturalization application submissions

The Left Party has raised concerns over the low number of naturalization applications in Hamburg, particularly considering the potential number of eligible migrants. The party's spokesperson on refugee issues, Carola Ensslen, has highlighted the issue, stating that the processing time for naturalization cases in Hamburg is a lengthy 14 months.

Ensslen has also noted a lack of engagement in important discretionary naturalizations, such as for people with disabilities. She emphasized that unfounded applications could be avoided if applicants were better guided. The party criticized the lack of guidance for applicants from the city of Hamburg.

The "I am a Hamburger" project, which provided 192 initial and 18 follow-up consultations in Hamburg, seems to have had a limited impact on naturalization applications. Ensslen stated that Hamburg is poorly equipped in providing guidance for naturalization applicants, with naturalization guides only used 42 times.

The Left Party also highlighted a lack of utilization of resources for naturalization guidance in Hamburg. As of mid-August 2022, 10,541 new naturalization applications have been submitted in Hamburg, yet there are now 31,539 pending naturalization cases. The backlog and long processing times are causing stress for those involved.

The Senate in Hamburg is not taking any further steps to reduce the increasing processing times for naturalization applications. The party's criticism focuses on the lack of resources dedicated to guiding naturalization applicants in Hamburg. A total of 7,369 naturalizations have been completed in Hamburg, indicating a naturalization potential of only 5.7 percent among migrants who have lived in Germany for at least ten years.

Birgit Stöver, who criticized the Senate's lack of commitment in processing naturalization applications and the lack of guideline offerings for applicants in Hamburg, also voiced her concerns. Moreover, 233 cases of inactivity have been reported in Hamburg's naturalization process.

The Left Party's concerns underscore the need for improved guidance and resources for naturalization applicants in Hamburg to streamline the process and reduce stress for those involved.