Selective Belonging: The Making of the Neoliberal Migrant in Germany

This article aims to examine the transformation of Germany’s labor immigration policy since the early 2000s, highlighting its increasing alignment with neoliberal rationalities. It discusses how the German state has come to govern labor mobility as an instrument for enhancing national economic performance. The introduction of the Green Card in 2000 marked a pivotal shift, followed by the 2005 Immigration Act, which institutionalized a demand-driven model that links immigration policy to labor market needs. Over time, this policy orientation has evolved into a more comprehensive strategy aimed at managing and optimizing the inflow of labor in response to demographic challenges and sectoral shortages. In this context, the role of the state has shifted from gatekeeping to actively selecting and integrating migrants based on market logic. This article argues that such developments reflect a broader neoliberal transformation in migration governance, wherein the state recalibrates inclusion through mechanisms of control, valuation, and utility. This study contributes to theoretical debates on neoliberal governmentality and the biopolitical hierarchization of migrant life.