Dobrindt discusses stricter measures with Poland to combat unlawful immigration
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After tightening border security measures, Alexander Dobrindt, the Federal Minister of the Interior of Germany, convened with his Polish counterpart, Tomasz Siemoniak, in Warsaw on Monday. The meeting aimed to hammer out cooperation on cracking down on illegal immigration. Both officials highlighted the urgency of bolstering efforts to safeguard the European Union's (EU) external borders and confront irregular immigration (NTV.de, AFP).
Dobrindt asserted, "We need a resolute migration policy in Europe," stressing that collaboration is crucial to stemming the flow of unlawful immigration into the EU. Siemoniak concurred, labeling the protection of the EU's external borders and combatting illegal immigration as "shared objectives" for Poland and Germany (NTV.de, AFP). Both nations aspire to boost their measures significantly to effectively counter human trafficking and smuggling (NTV.de, AFP).
The statement revealed that ministers acknowledged migrants being utilized as pawns in a hybrid war orchestrated by Russia and Belarus. Consequently, they deemed it legitimate for countries experiencing migration pressure to institute extraordinary measures to avert the destabilization of asylum and social systems (NTV.de, AFP).
On May 7, Dobrindt ordered fortified border controls and expulsions, including the expulsion of asylum seekers. Poland and Switzerland expressed concern over these measures (NTV.de, AFP).
Germany's Stepped-Up Efforts
In response to mounting pressure, Germany enforced stricter border policies under the new federal government and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt. Authorities gained expanded authority to turn back asylum seekers at the border, not only at formal crossings but also across green borders, to thwart irregular migration streams (Eng NASZ!, NTV.de). The nation cites "public order threats" as the principal justification for these controls, although courts have found blanket rejections of asylum seekers to violate EU law, inciting ongoing legal tensions (Private Cases).
Most recently, Germany reinstated temporary border controls at land borders with Poland, Czechia, Austria, and other nations, with these measures continuing in effect until further notice (NTV.de). These controls are concentrated on halting illegal entries and routinely intensified at vital crossing points like the A12 at Frankfurt (Oder) on the Polish border (Eng NASZ!).
Poland's Moves in Response
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that it is "very probable" that Poland will soon introduce "partial controls" on its border with Germany, primarily in response to the return of migrants from Germany to Poland. This intended action is seen as a countermeasure to shifting migration patterns and bilateral disagreements (EurActiv). Since 2023, Poland has occasionally reintroduced border controls, particularly in response to hybrid tactics from Belarus and Russia where migrants are directed towards EU borders as a means of destabilization (Verfassungsrichtlinien).
These measures, however, have contributed to delays of 1 to 3 hours at border crossings like Zgorzelec-Görlitz, necessitating increased costs for logistics companies (Private Cases).
Both Germany and Poland are hell-bent on safeguarding borders against illegal immigration while countering external actors using migrants as tools in hybrid warfare. However, these policies have fostered friction in EU internal cooperation and intricacies for cross-border trade and transportation (Eng NASZ!, Verfassungsrichtlinien).
[1] EurActiv
[2] Verfassungsrichtlinien
[3] Eng NASZ!
[4] Eng NASZ!
[5] sueddeutsche.de
Community policy must be established to address the pressing issue of illegal immigration, as highlighted by both Alexander Dobrindt and Tomasz Siemoniak in their meeting in Warsaw. The conversation underscored the need for cooperation between European Union (EU) member states, such as Germany and Poland, to enforce strict employment policy regarding immigration. Additionally, political discussions and general-news outlets should focus on the migration of people, given the significant impact it has on economic stability and social systems within the EU.
