Record-Breaking Month: More Illegal Border Crossings in May 2025
Increased Number of Unlawful Crossings in May
Gearing up for tighter borders, but surprise! A spike in unauthorized entries in May left the Federal Police scratching their heads. While this month marked a ten percent increase compared to April, it's a far cry from the numbers of previous years.
Last May, the blackline stood at 7,124 irregular entries, and in 2023, it was a whopping 8,532. But in the ever-changing game of cat-and-mouse, this year saw only 5,571 unauthorized crossings. The total count for 2025 thus far? A relatively manageable 25,298.
Politically speaking, this could boil down to fewer migrants believing the grass is greener on the other side. Or maybe they're smartening up to the tougher stance our new black-red federal government has been churning out since they moved into office.
The interior minister, Alexander Dobrindt, hasn't been shy about stepping up border controls and expulsions, either. After all, he's been preaching that illegal migration is still reigning supreme. Shortly after assuming the role, Dobrindt initiated stricter measures like ordering new border checks and putting forth several politically charged proposals.
Some of these headline-grabbing ideas include a two-year suspension on family reunifications for refugees without asylum status, a rethink on naturalization and citizenship requirements, and even the possibility of classifying countries as 'safe' without Bundesrat consensus.
Europe as a whole has been clamping down on illegal migration, too, with EU countries working together to implement measures like rejecting undocumented migrants and processing asylum applications overseas[4][5]. This sends a clear message that regions like Germany are less desirable for those seeking to break the law and enter illegally.
Meanwhile, the number of migrants crossing over EU borders has been taking a nosedive, with a 27% decrease in the first four months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024[2]. One can't help but wonder if the general decline in migrant crossings is contributing to the decrease in illegal entries into Germany.
On the homefront, increased border security checks and refused entries are also taking a toll. A stronger, more stringent border has likely discouraged or deterred many would-be lawbreakers[5].
As for why these illegal entries skyrocketed in May—well, that remains to be seen. But one thing's for sure: the game of borders will never stop playing. It's always a good idea to stay ahead of the curve and keep an eye on what's brewing across regions. For now, Germany's got one less reason to fret and more reasons to celebrate.
[1] ntv.de, lar/AFP
- Federal Police
- Police
- Migration
- Immigration
Enrichment Data:In 2025, a decrease in illegal entries into Germany is largely driven by a combination of stricter migration policies across Europe, increased border security measures in Germany, and a broader trend of reduced EU migrant crossings. Other factors contributing to this decline may include increased awareness and education among potential migrants regarding the consequences of entering a country illegally. Additionally, increased cooperation between countries and international organizations may be playing a role in discouraging illegal migration and facilitating the return of deported migrants.
- The decrease in illegal entries into Germany in 2025 can be attributed to a combination of stricter employment and community policies, as well as stricter migration policies across Europe and increased border security measures.
- The ever-changing game of border control politics in Germany, including stricter measures like new border checks and proposals on immigration, may have played a role in deterring potential lawbreakers, contributing to the decline in illegal entries this year.
