The BAMF is celebrating its 20th birthday.

We lawyers tend to get lost in the world of legal norms, but law is not a sterile construct; it breathes the spirit of social reality. This is precisely where the Research Centre of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) has been bridging the gap for two decades now. What began almost inconspicuously in 2005 with the Immigration Act has developed into a massive institution . The BAMF is now celebrating its 20th anniversary. We look back at what the Federal Office has achieved so far.

From legal mandate to scientific authority

The starting signal was given in 2005. With the Immigration Act , the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) received the formal mandate to conduct scientific research on migration. What began as a small research group with just two departments and the task of compiling the Federal Government's annual migration report is now virtually unrecognizable. It is fascinating to observe how this unit has transformed over the years. Today, we speak of the Research Centre for Migration, Integration and Asylum (FZ), which operates with over 50 employees and three specialized research areas. For us lawyers, this professionalization is a boon, as it provides the empirical basis for arguments that go beyond simply citing legal texts. When we debate the effectiveness of integration courses or skilled worker immigration today , we draw on data that has been painstakingly collected over these 20 years.

Milestones that changed our perspective

Looking at the timeline of the last two decades, one can see the evolution of German migration policy. As early as 2009, the research center published the report " Muslim Life in Germany, " a scientific projection that was of central importance to the German Islam Conference. Such studies are essential for legal practice, for example, when it comes to the recognition of religious communities or the assessment of integration needs. Another turning point was 2014, when the first major refugee study, as well as investigations into the factors influencing asylum seekers' choice of destination country, were published. These studies helped to replace the often distorted picture of "pull factors" with reliable facts.

The dynamics of skilled worker immigration and digitalization

Particularly relevant for modern visa consulting is the accompanying research on the Skilled Immigration Act (FEG) . Since its enactment in 2020, the research center has been evaluating the impact of these regulations. We see a direct feedback loop between legislation, practical application, and scientific scrutiny. The opening of the Research Data Center (BAMF-FDZ) in 2021 also marks a quantum leap. Accreditation by the Council for Social and Economic Data has ensured that the collected data meets the highest scientific standards . In practice, this means that the expert opinions and statistics we rely on have exceptional legal standing . Whether it concerns the employment of foreign graduates – keyword " EU Blue Card " – or the emigration of skilled workers : research provides the necessary corrective to the political debate.

Current challenges: From Ukraine to deradicalization

In 2025, the research center presents itself as an institution that responds swiftly to global crises. Recent work on refugees from Ukraine and studies on the lives of (late) resettlers demonstrate that the center remains at the forefront of current issues. Particularly noteworthy is its scientific support in sensitive areas such as deradicalization. The evaluation of the Radicalization Counseling Center and the development of training courses for counselors illustrate how research in this area makes a direct contribution to internal security and social peace. For the legal assessment of individual cases involving security concerns or grounds for deportation, these publications often provide the only objective framework.

A conclusion after two decades of gaining knowledge

In summary, the work of the Research Centre over the past 20 years has been far more than a mere statistical exercise. With nearly 300 publications and over 100 completed projects, the BAMF Research Centre has laid the foundation for evidence-based migration policy . As lawyers, we benefit from this expertise every day. The research has contributed to our ability to discuss integration, the need for skilled workers , and the root causes of displacement in a more nuanced way. In a time when debates are often emotionally charged, the substantive depth of this work is indispensable. We congratulate the Research Centre on 20 years of successful research and look forward to the insights that the coming decades will bring.