Verwaltungskrise im Migrationsfeld

Analyses of how crises affect political agendas and policy formulation are widespread in political science literature. However, what is missing so far is a consideration of crisis effects during the implementation phase. In particular, the effects of crises on street-level bureaucrats implementing certain policies are examined insufficiently. Some authors reflect upon the consequences of single elements of crises, like burden or work overload, on individual administrative behavior. Nonetheless, what is missing so far is a multidimensional understanding of crisis and a consideration of how crisis situations affect public authorities concretely. Accordingly, it is the aim of this contribution to evaluate, if a crisis and its perception as such leads to deviating administrative behavior. With the help of a case study considering migration authorities in Bremen, this contribution can show that subjectively perceived crises can lead to an adjusted administrative pattern of task execution of street-level bureaucrats. A selective style of implementation for the benefit of the clients is characteristic for this, so-called, crisis implementation style.