German Chancellor Olaf Scholz vowed Thursday that Germany will start deporting criminals from Afghanistan and Syria after a knife attack by an Afghan immigrant last week left one police officer dead and four more people injured, in a speech to the country’s parliament. Germany does not currently deport people to Afghanistan and Syria due to the humanitarian and security situations in those countries.

Scholz’s vow to restart deportations of criminals from Afghanistan and Syria marks a significant policy shift in Germany’s approach to immigration and security. This commitment comes in the aftermath of a knife attack in Mannheim, perpetrated by an Afghan immigrant, which resulted in the death of a police officer and injuries to several others.

The assailant, who arrived in Germany as an asylum-seeker in 2014, embodies the complexities and challenges associated with immigration and integration. Germany initially welcomed a large influx of refugees from conflict-ridden regions like Syria and Afghanistan, but public sentiment has shifted over time. Scholz has previously pledged to deport refugees on a large scale.

Scholz’s announcement comes amid heightened political polarization surrounding immigration, particularly with the rise of far-right populism. Parties like the Alternative for Germany (AfD) have capitalized on anti-immigrant sentiments, and in response, Scholz and mainstream parties have positioned themselves as tough on migration and radical Islam.

The decision sparked debates on the effectiveness of deportation policies and broader implications for Germany’s immigration and integration approach. As policymakers navigate these challenges, observers say that striking a balance between security imperatives and humanitarian principles remains paramount.