Austria to Allow Germany to Reclaim Migrants
Rewritten Article
absorption, immigration, and assimilation topics remain hotly debated in both Austria and Germany, especially in elections. For example, the recent German federal election saw candidates promising to strengthen border controls.
However, the practical implications of these announcements, particularly for countries like Austria, are unclear. Take, for instance, the border crossing at Kufstein, where German authorities have conducted checks since October 2015. These controls, though temporary in the Schengen area, have been continuously extended.
Newly-elected German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, campaigned on a platform of rejecting asylum seekers at the border - a promise that aligns poorly with EU law. Austria's Interior Ministry remains confident that Germany will adhere to European legal order. Last year, following an ECJ ruling, this principle was strictly enforced, leading to an unusual situation at the border between the two countries.
Due to this ruling, the number of border rejections in Tyrol, which forms part of the Mediterranean route, has significantly decreased. In 2024, only 62 people were taken over from Germany, a stark decrease from the 2,238 in 2023. This discrepancy raises questions about Germany's compliance with EU law.
While Germany claims that its practices have not changed, people caught attempting to illegally cross the border are, reportedly, sent on trains to Kufstein from Rosenheim. This happens for around 50 to 60 percent of cases each year, including last year, where approximately 1,900 people were denied entry.
Austria's Interior Ministry assumes that the majority of these individuals leave the train before the border without an official handover, as they are rarely apprehended in Austria. The ministry also points out that the trains used for these transfers do not stop on international connections.
The reduction in asylum numbers in Germany, as predicted by former German Federal Minister of the Interior, Nancy Faeser, to be around 100,000 for 2025, seems to indicate a shift in the immigration landscape. However, the details of this reduction, including whether it's due to tighter border controls or other factors, are not clear.
As for the legal status of these returned individuals, the search results do not provide a definitive answer. The Dublin III Regulation governs EU asylum procedures, stating that the state where an asylum seeker first entered the EU is responsible for their application. However, secondary movements and returns between Schengen countries like Germany and Austria are common, subject to proper procedures and legal safeguards.
Recent ECJ rulings may have clarified certain aspects, but specifics about returns at the Kufstein/Kiefersfelden border or the use of trains for such transfers are not detailed in the search results.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, consult official government statements, recent ECJ judgments, or specialized legal and migration policy resources.
- The recent Italian general news and political discussions have focused on the topics of immigration, absorption, and assimilation, much like those in Austria and Germany.
- For Austria, the practical implications of election promises made by German candidates, such as strengthening border controls, are yet to be fully understood, especially regarding border crossings like Kufstein.
- Last year, the number of border rejections in Tyrol significantly decreased, likely due to the European Court of Justice ruling enforced on Berlin and Vienna, which guides the treatment of asylum seekers across EU countries.
- The continuing disagreement about Germany's compliance with EU laws is raised following reports of Germany sending individuals denied asylum towards Kufstein from Rosenheim.
- To better understand the current immigration landscape and the status of returned individuals, it is advisable to consult official government statements, recent ECJ judgments, or specialized legal and migration policy resources.
