Within the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of the
Interior has overall responsibility for asylum law. Under German
law, decisions on asylum applications are made by the Federal
Agency for the Recognition of Foreign Refugees. An appeal
against any such decision may be lodged with the administrative
courts. The decision to carry out a deportation order is made by
the competent authority of the relevant Land (federal state).
The Federal Foreign Office provides administrative assistance to
the Federal Agency, the Land governments and the administrative
courts by making available any information on the situation in
asylum-seekers' countries of origin that may be relevant to
asylum and deportation matters. With regard to administrative
and court proceedings relating to asylum law or protection from
deportation, the Federal Foreign Office provides such
information only in the context of administrative assistance to
authorities and courts. Last updated 06.04.2011