Germany Announces Stricter Border Controls Amid Asylum Policy Shift
New Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt orders federal police to turn away irregular migrants, sparking criticism from neighboring countries.
Germany's new Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt, announced on Wednesday that he has directed federal police to implement stricter border controls aimed at turning back irregular migrants, including those seeking asylum.
This decision follows a key campaign promise made by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who took office recently.
Dobrindt specified that vulnerable individuals, such as children and pregnant women, would be exempt from immediate rejection at the borders.
He articulated the need to reduce excessive asylum demands and send a clear message regarding a shift in Germany's immigration policy.
On Thursday and Friday, in a preliminary application of this stricter policy, authorities reported turning away 286 migrants out of 365 undocumented entries at Germany's borders.
The primary reasons cited for the rejections included the absence of valid visas, possession of counterfeit documents, or entry prohibitions.
During this period, law enforcement also detained 14 smuggling suspects and executed 48 open arrest warrants, underscoring a focus on detaining individuals with potential links to extremism.
Dobrindt defended the legal foundation for these measures, asserting that rejecting asylum seekers could be justified under current European Union law.
In response to criticism from Poland and Austria, who raised concerns about potential disruptions in border traffic and the functioning of the EU internal market, Dobrindt stated that these domestic actions would support the tightening of the European asylum system.
He emphasized ongoing discussions with neighboring countries about the new guidelines.
The tightening of immigration policies represents a stark departure from the approach taken by former Chancellor Angela Merkel, who in 2015 had permitted asylum seekers to enter Germany freely while local authorities processed their claims.
Under the new directives, those without identification, including asylum seekers, would face denials of entry.
To facilitate this increased enforcement, plans are underway to bolster the border police by deploying approximately 3,000 additional officers.
Dobrindt also highlighted the use of mobile control units to enhance border security.
The policy aims to signal a reformed stance on migration within Germany and a concerted effort to address perceived dysfunctionality in current regulations.
The developments have prompted varied responses from political leaders across Germany.
The conservative bloc, led by Merz, anticipates that the new measures will ultimately lead to a reduction in asylum numbers and gain acceptance from neighboring EU states.
However, parties in opposition, including the Greens and the Left Party, argue that the policy may contravene EU laws and could lead to potential legal challenges.
They have raised questions in Parliament about the legality and practicality of the new border regime, asserting that human rights must remain a priority within migration policies.
The shift in policy comes at a time when Germany has observed a decline in asylum applications in recent months, with statistics indicating a 46% drop in applications during the first quarter of the year compared to the previous year.
As this policy evolves, the government will continue to navigate the complex landscape of regional and European migration laws, balancing security concerns with humanitarian obligations.
This decision follows a key campaign promise made by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who took office recently.
Dobrindt specified that vulnerable individuals, such as children and pregnant women, would be exempt from immediate rejection at the borders.
He articulated the need to reduce excessive asylum demands and send a clear message regarding a shift in Germany's immigration policy.
On Thursday and Friday, in a preliminary application of this stricter policy, authorities reported turning away 286 migrants out of 365 undocumented entries at Germany's borders.
The primary reasons cited for the rejections included the absence of valid visas, possession of counterfeit documents, or entry prohibitions.
During this period, law enforcement also detained 14 smuggling suspects and executed 48 open arrest warrants, underscoring a focus on detaining individuals with potential links to extremism.
Dobrindt defended the legal foundation for these measures, asserting that rejecting asylum seekers could be justified under current European Union law.
In response to criticism from Poland and Austria, who raised concerns about potential disruptions in border traffic and the functioning of the EU internal market, Dobrindt stated that these domestic actions would support the tightening of the European asylum system.
He emphasized ongoing discussions with neighboring countries about the new guidelines.
The tightening of immigration policies represents a stark departure from the approach taken by former Chancellor Angela Merkel, who in 2015 had permitted asylum seekers to enter Germany freely while local authorities processed their claims.
Under the new directives, those without identification, including asylum seekers, would face denials of entry.
To facilitate this increased enforcement, plans are underway to bolster the border police by deploying approximately 3,000 additional officers.
Dobrindt also highlighted the use of mobile control units to enhance border security.
The policy aims to signal a reformed stance on migration within Germany and a concerted effort to address perceived dysfunctionality in current regulations.
The developments have prompted varied responses from political leaders across Germany.
The conservative bloc, led by Merz, anticipates that the new measures will ultimately lead to a reduction in asylum numbers and gain acceptance from neighboring EU states.
However, parties in opposition, including the Greens and the Left Party, argue that the policy may contravene EU laws and could lead to potential legal challenges.
They have raised questions in Parliament about the legality and practicality of the new border regime, asserting that human rights must remain a priority within migration policies.
The shift in policy comes at a time when Germany has observed a decline in asylum applications in recent months, with statistics indicating a 46% drop in applications during the first quarter of the year compared to the previous year.
As this policy evolves, the government will continue to navigate the complex landscape of regional and European migration laws, balancing security concerns with humanitarian obligations.
Translation:
Translated by AI
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