Germany declares invalid passports from areas controlled by ISIS

travel documents issued from territory controlled by the so-called “Islamic State” are no longer valid forms of ID

The German Interior Ministry has confirmed travel documents issued from territory controlled by the so-called “Islamic State” are no longer valid forms of ID. Nearly three quarters of migrants arriving to Germany in 2015 had no documents.

The measure went into effect in December as concern mounted that ISIS had taken over public administrative functions and obtained vast quantities of blank documents.

Europe has been on high alert for jihadists disguised as refugees using false documents following last November’s Paris terror attacks, in which Syrian passports were found on the bodies of two men. The black market for Syrian passports remains rife.

Nearly three-quarters of migrants entering Germany in January arrived with no documentation.

German officials stated passport holders from ISIS-controlled areas will still be able to apply for asylum in Germany, but similar to other refugees must prove their identity and country of citizenship.