The interests of foreigners living in Germany are represented by the Federal Government’s Commissioner for Matters relating to Aliens. She is concerned with the conception of and individual issues pertaining to policy on foreigners and to this end conducts talks with German and foreign politicians, representatives of the parties to collective bargaining agreements, andother groups within society; in particular, she is the person approached by organizations actively involved in matters pertaining to foreigners. The Commissioner for Matters relating to Aliens above all supports initiatives to promote the interests of the foreigners permanently residing in Germany. For this reason she is also constantly in contact with the embassies of the countries in which Germany formerly recruited labor. She visits these countries herself and meets with government representatives there to discuss pertinent issues.

One important task of the Commissioner is to disseminate comprehensive and factual information concerning the history of employment of foreigners in Germany and its economic significance, the origination and development of German policy on foreigners, humanitarian aspects of the actual immigration situation for foreigners and Germans alike, and, finally, the political and legal obligations assumed by the Federal Republic of Germany under international conventions and declarations.

The Federal Republic of Germany is not an immigration country. A consistent policy of limiting immigration is indispensable, especially in the interest of the foreigners residing in Germany and their integration. The 1973 ban on recruitment of foreign workers from non-EU countries remains in effect without restriction. Illegal entry and employment are liable to prosecution.