Keeping the Border Lines Firm: New Border Controls and Migrant Policies
Customs and immigration checks persist in usual manner - Border enforcement remains unchanged.
Hey there! Ready to dive into a fresh take on the recent happenings at the borders? Here we go!
The new federal government's first day brought no signs of a major shift at the border control stations. As Stefan Doehn, the Federal Police Inspectorate Trier's spokesman, put it, "We're doing our job just as we always have." However, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) had hinted at changes, promising enhanced repatriation of migrants and increased border checks after taking office.
Since mid-September 2024, border controls have been in place at all of Germany's external borders. In February, the government extended these controls for another half year, until 15 September.
The focus is on illegal migration
At the Trier control station, federal police officers routinely examine vehicles. In a large steel tent at the checkpoint, drivers' papers are scrutinized. Generally, people proceed as usual. Over 500 vehicles are checked daily.
Dobrindt's focus: preventing illegal entry and catching smugglers. As Doehn stated, there have indeed been numerous successful interceptions. By the end of March, a total of 2,661 illegal entries had been identified in Rhineland-Pfalz and the Saarland[6].
Criticism and Complaints
In the region, there's been resentment from commuters who travel to Luxembourg for work, often finding themselves delayed by the controls. Over 50,000 German workers commute daily to Luxembourg[7]. The country lodged a protest against the extension of the controls with the EU Commission in February.
It's worth mentioning that the federal government's new stance is a decisive shift from its previous tactics. Under Interior Minister Dobrindt, there's a clear emphasis on tightening border controls, increasing repatriations, and reducing the number of irregular migrants attempting to enter the country[8]. The policy aims to send a message, both domestically and abroad, that Germany is adopting a tougher stance on immigration[9].
For the sake of clarity, it's important to point out that the focus is on illegal migration and not on refugees or vulnerable groups[8]. Moreover, the approach is intended to coordinate with European neighbors to jointly reject asylum seekers who do not meet entry criteria[9].
Hope this refreshed take helps shed some light on the recent developments at Germany's borders!
- Border control
- Migration
- Luxembourg
- Government
- Trier
- Rhineland-Pfalz
- Saarland
- Federal Police
- CSU
- Migrants
- Focus
Enrichment Data:
The Federal Ministry of the Interior in Germany, under the new Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, has indeed issued an order to change border control policies following the formation of the new federal government. Key details are as follows:
- Dobrindt, sworn in as Interior Minister on May 6, 2025, instructed federal police to tighten border controls with the explicit goal of increasing the rejection of irregular migrants, including those intending to seek asylum[3][5].
- This policy shift is part of a broader plan to station more police officers at Germany's borders and carry out "push-backs" of some asylum-seekers who do not meet entry criteria[2][3][4].
- Dobrindt emphasized that vulnerable individuals—such as children, pregnant women, and other at-risk groups—will not be turned away at the border[3][5].
- The measure is intended to send a clear signal both globally and within Europe that Germany's migration policy has changed under the new government led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz[1][5].
- The strategy aligns with the coalition agreement, which includes coordination with European neighbors to reject asylum seekers at common borders[5].
- The approach marks a tougher stance compared to the previous government, focusing on reducing the number of entries deemed excessive by incrementally increasing border rejections without fully closing borders[1][3].
In summary, the Federal Ministry of the Interior has ordered stricter border controls, increased police deployment at borders, and the turning away of some asylum-seekers, while protecting vulnerable groups and signaling a tougher migration policy consistent with the new conservative-led government's election promises[1][3][5].
- Alexander Dobrindt, as the new Interior Minister, has announced plans to enhance border controls and repatriation of migrants, promising a tougher stance on immigration.
- The federal government has extended stationary border controls at all of Germany's external borders until September, focusing on preventing illegal entry and catching smugglers.
- Over 500 vehicles are checked daily at the Trier control station, causing delays for commuters traveling to Luxembourg for work, which has led to criticism and complaints in the region.
- The federal government's new migration policy is a significant shift, prioritizing border control, increased repatriation, and reducing the number of irregular migrants attempting to enter the country, while not targeting refugees or vulnerable groups.
