Contrary to Speculations, No Emergency Declared over Migration in Germany
Government hasn't yet enacted an emergency response for the anomalous migratory influx.
Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz dismissed rumors of an emergency being declared due to irregular migration during his Brussels visit. While there were "some misunderstandings," an "emergency" had not been declared, according to Merz on Friday. The government plans to enforce more stringent border controls in the future and will continue to send back asylum seekers, all within the confines of European law.
In response to increasing refugee numbers, Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt announced harsher border measures on Wednesday. These measures include stationing additional federal police at the border and turning back asylum seekers. Dobrindt pointed to Article 72 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU as one of the legal foundations for these proposed border rule adjustments.
Government spokesman Stefan Kornelius previously rejected the idea of declaring an "emergency," explaining that the term is not mentioned in Article 72.
Although the focus is on controlling migration, the German Federal Government has outlined several key policy changes, including prioritizing skilled labor migration, digitalizing immigration processes, and reducing work restrictions for refugees.
Stricter border controls in the Schengen Area, though allowing for passport-free travel among member states, seek to curtail illegal migration. EU regulations allow for such measures as long as they are proportionate and non-discriminatory towards EU citizens.
The immediate rejection of most asylum seekers raises concerns about compliance with EU and international laws, such as the Geneva Convention's principle of non-refoulement and the Dublin Regulation. The legality of these actions will depend on adherence to relevant asylum and migration frameworks.
With the impending implementation of these policies, their evolution will rely heavily on legislative approval. The government's emphasis on skilled migration and digitalization aligns with broader EU strategies to effectively manage migration while maintaining legal compliance.
Insights:
- The German Federal Government emphasizes skilled labor migration, digitalization of immigration processes, and stricter border controls.
- The EU's Schengen Borders Code allows for member states to implement border controls for security reasons.
- Compliance with EU and international laws, such as the Geneva Convention and the Dublin Regulation, is crucial to ensure the legality of border control and asylum policies.
- Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt emphasize the importance of maintaining stringent border controls as part of the community policy, while the employment policy includes prioritizing skilled labor migration and digitalizing immigration processes.
- The German government announced harsher border measures, such as stationing additional federal police at the borders and turning back asylum seekers, within the boundaries set by European law, particularly Article 72 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU.
- The EU's Schengen Borders Code, allowing for passport-free travel among member states, permits member states to implement stricter border controls when necessary, provided they are proportionate and non-discriminatory towards EU citizens.
- Despite the focus on managing immigration through border control, the German Federal Government's policies also address concerns related to employment, as seen in their focus on skilled labor migration, digitalization, and reducing work restrictions for refugees.
