Germany Reinforces Border Controls Amidst Rising Concerns Over Illegal Migration
Interior Minister Dobrindt orders increased police presence at German borders while the police union demands legal clarity.
In a significant policy shift, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has issued a verbal directive to the Federal Police to enhance border controls and increase the rejection of illegal entries.
Heiko Teggatz, a representative of the police union, described this move as a "genuine turnaround in migration policy." Dobrindt had previously announced during his election campaign plans to strengthen border controls and reject asylum seekers upon taking office.
To address irregular migration, the Minister intends to deploy more police officers to Germany's borders.
According to reports, Dobrindt is set to discuss the details today with Dieter Romann, President of the Federal Police, and Hans-Eckhard Sommer, President of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.
Andreas Roßkopf, chair of the Police Union (GdP) for Federal Police and Customs, stated that the implementation of this directive has already begun, with border authorities instructed to adjust duty rosters to increase availability.
Reports indicate that Dobrindt plans to station an additional 3,000 Federal Police officers at the borders, potentially bringing the total to up to 14,000 officers dedicated to border protection, aimed at reducing unauthorized entries of migrants.
Furthermore, it is reported that the contingent of the Federal Riot Police stationed at the borders may be doubled to twelve hundred units, accompanied by mobile monitoring and control units.
Officers at border inspection points are expected to work twelve-hour shifts under the new plan.
Concerns have been raised by police union representatives regarding possible overstrain on Federal Police resources.
Proponents of the measures argue that increased rejections could reduce the data collection burden on officers and require less assistance for asylum seekers at initial reception centers.
The German Police Union (DPolG) has urged Minister Dobrindt to provide legal clarification on the planned rejections of asylum seekers.
Heiko Teggatz emphasized the need for a clear policy stating that the Federal Police should have the authority to reject asylum seekers at the borders.
He expressed belief that Dobrindt holds a different legal interpretation compared to his predecessor, Nancy Faeser.
The EU-mandated temporary border controls have been in place at the Austrian border since 2015 and were extended by the current government to all border sections.
Both Dobrindt and current Chancellor Friedrich Merz had committed to reinforcing controls and rejecting asylum seekers immediately upon taking office, as stated during the election campaign.
According to the coalition agreement between the Union and the SPD, there is a commitment to undertake rejections at shared borders in coordination with European neighbors.
However, there remains ambiguity regarding whether "in coordination" means requiring prior consent from neighboring countries or merely consulting them.
Heiko Teggatz, a representative of the police union, described this move as a "genuine turnaround in migration policy." Dobrindt had previously announced during his election campaign plans to strengthen border controls and reject asylum seekers upon taking office.
To address irregular migration, the Minister intends to deploy more police officers to Germany's borders.
According to reports, Dobrindt is set to discuss the details today with Dieter Romann, President of the Federal Police, and Hans-Eckhard Sommer, President of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.
Andreas Roßkopf, chair of the Police Union (GdP) for Federal Police and Customs, stated that the implementation of this directive has already begun, with border authorities instructed to adjust duty rosters to increase availability.
Reports indicate that Dobrindt plans to station an additional 3,000 Federal Police officers at the borders, potentially bringing the total to up to 14,000 officers dedicated to border protection, aimed at reducing unauthorized entries of migrants.
Furthermore, it is reported that the contingent of the Federal Riot Police stationed at the borders may be doubled to twelve hundred units, accompanied by mobile monitoring and control units.
Officers at border inspection points are expected to work twelve-hour shifts under the new plan.
Concerns have been raised by police union representatives regarding possible overstrain on Federal Police resources.
Proponents of the measures argue that increased rejections could reduce the data collection burden on officers and require less assistance for asylum seekers at initial reception centers.
The German Police Union (DPolG) has urged Minister Dobrindt to provide legal clarification on the planned rejections of asylum seekers.
Heiko Teggatz emphasized the need for a clear policy stating that the Federal Police should have the authority to reject asylum seekers at the borders.
He expressed belief that Dobrindt holds a different legal interpretation compared to his predecessor, Nancy Faeser.
The EU-mandated temporary border controls have been in place at the Austrian border since 2015 and were extended by the current government to all border sections.
Both Dobrindt and current Chancellor Friedrich Merz had committed to reinforcing controls and rejecting asylum seekers immediately upon taking office, as stated during the election campaign.
According to the coalition agreement between the Union and the SPD, there is a commitment to undertake rejections at shared borders in coordination with European neighbors.
However, there remains ambiguity regarding whether "in coordination" means requiring prior consent from neighboring countries or merely consulting them.
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Translated by AI
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