Federal and regional security authorities
The collaboration between the Federal Office and the security authorities has changed over the course of time. The "asylum compromise" and the attacks on the United States of America on September 11, 2001 were watersheds.
In order to fulfil its core responsibilities of asylum, integration and migration, the Federal Office works in partnership with the federal and regional security authorities. In the same way that these core responsibilities have grown over time, collaboration with the security authorities has also changed. Prior to the "asylum compromise", information obligations were a priority, for example, for the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz). Further tasks have since been added.
One consequence of the asylum compromise is that exclusion clauses in the Geneva Convention on Refugees have become a directly applicable part of German asylum law. In terms of collaborating with the security authorities, this has resulted in a new focus for the investigation of circumstances relevant to decisions, such as serious criminal offences.
Stepping up of institutional collaboration in the wake of 9/11
As a result of the anti-terrorism measures that were developed after the attacks which took place on September 11, 2001, institutional collaboration has taken on new significance, as it proved necessary to include migration-specific issues in the approach. The Federal Office has therefore been represented at the Joint Counter Terrorism Centre (Gemeinsames Terrorismusabwehrzentrum) (GTAZ) since 2005.
The Prevention and Co-operation Clearing Point
Against the background of the development of society as a whole and increasing globalisation, the additional responsibilities of integration and migration have been transferred to the Federal Office as a result of the Immigration Act.
Collaboration with the security authorities has also been adapted and expanded in this context and the Prevention and Co-operation Clearing Point has been set up. Since March 2008, it has been making the case across Germany for entering more intensively into dialogue with mosque associations and the police authorities. The aim is to work together effectively based on mutual knowledge and trust.
