No Sign of Tightened Border Controls Yet, Says Federal Police Spokesperson
Continued Border Inspections Remain Unchanged - Customs inspections remain unchanged
On the first day of the new federal government, there's no obvious signs of a crackdown on border control. According to Stefan Döhn, a spokesperson for the Federal Police Inspectorate Trier, at a border control station on the A64 from Luxembourg, "We're just doing our job as we've been doing these past months. We haven't received any new instructions yet, so we're carrying on as usual."
Germany's Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), had previously announced plans for increased repatriations of migrants and intensified checks at the nation's external borders. The initial decisions were scheduled for this very day.
Since mid-September 2024, border controls have been reinstated at all of Germany's external borders. Earlier this year, the federal government extended these border controls for half a year, until September 15.
Illegal migration is the main focus
At the control station in Trier, federal police officers frequently stop vehicles for inspection. In a large steel tent at the barrier, the drivers' documents are scrutinized, and, in most cases, they are allowed to continue. Around 500 vehicles are checked daily here.
The federal police are primarily targeting individuals attempting to enter illegally, smugglers, and persons wanted on arrest warrants. According to Döhn, there have been numerous arrests, as indicated by newly disclosed statistics.
Almost 2,700 illegal entries
By the end of March, a total of 2,661 illegal entries had been recorded in Rhineland-Pfalz and the Saarland as a result of the reinstated border controls. 1,694 of these individuals entered from France, 843 from Luxembourg, and 124 from Belgium, as reported by the Federal Police to the German Press Agency. 1,166 persons were sent back to France, 513 to Luxembourg, and 73 to Belgium. A total of 56 smugglers were apprehended. The figures, while still provisional, show that the controls have been "meaningful and also particularly effective," said Döhn.
What's next?
The federal government is expected to issue further instructions soon. "Once we get the order from the Federal Ministry of the Interior, we'll see how we can position ourselves moving forward," Döhn mentioned nonchalantly. Whether there would be additional changes or more personnel remains to be seen. But they are ready and can react swiftly once the orders come through, said Döhn.
The controls are "extremely labor-intensive, but it will work," assures Döhn. They will receive support from other units and inspections.
Complaints from Luxembourg
Stationary border controls are typically not part of the European Schengen area's agreement. There is still a stationary control point to Belgium on the A60 in Rhineland-Pfalz. In the Saarland, the entry traffic from Luxembourg is controlled in Perl, and in Saarbrücken from France.
Germans working in Luxembourg express dissatisfaction with the delays due to border control measures. Over 50,000 commuters from Germany to Luxembourg work there. Luxembourg voiced its protest against the extension of these checks with the EU Commission in February.
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- Germany
- Luxembourg
- Border control
- Travel
- Migrants
- Repatriation
- Federal government
- Opposition
- Dublin Regulation
- Crackdown
- CSU
- EU policy
- Identity checks
Insights:
- The new German government, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, plans to implement stricter measures to control its borders and reduce illegal migration. Key measures include increased border controls, stepped-up repatriations, alignment with EU policy, and the expansion of identity checks.
- The changes are set to begin from May 6, 2025, following Friedrich Merz's swearing-in as Chancellor and are expected to result in fewer illegal entries and increased rejections, aligning with EU's Dublin Regulation principles.
- Brussels may voice concerns if these measures conflict with European law, but the German government is pushing ahead with these reforms to uphold stricter migration policies.
- The new German government, under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, is planning to implement stricter employment policies, including stricter border controls, to reduce illegal migration.
- Stefan Döhn, a spokesperson for the Federal Police Inspectorate Trier, stated that there are no new instructions yet for tighter border controls, but they are ready to react swiftly once orders come through.
- Germany has seen an increase in illegal migration and has reinstated border controls at all of its external borders since mid-September 2024, with plans for these controls to be extended for half a year, until September 15.
- The federal government in Germany has been targeting individuals attempting to enter illegally, smugglers, and persons wanted on arrest warrants, with numerous arrests made as a result.
- The federal government is expected to issue further instructions on the implementation of stricter border control policies soon, and it remains to be seen whether there will be additional changes or more personnel to enforce these policies.
