AfD praises federal police: border controls against smuggling are effective!

AfD praises federal police: border controls against smuggling are effective!

There is currently an intensive debate in Germany about the challenges of illegal migration and the federal government's measures at the external borders. The focus is particularly on dangerous smuggling practices, which have now increased significantly. According to a report from the Federal Criminal Police Office, over 7,900 cases of smuggling into Germany were registered in 2023, an increase of around 60% compared to the previous year. The Federal Police is making a significant contribution here and has proven its capabilities despite the tense personnel situation. This was also confirmed by AfD politicians Enrico Komning, Jan-Phillip Tadsen and Nikolaus Kramer, as well as the support of the Pasewalk Federal Police Inspectorate at the Linken border crossing, where they assessed the situation on site. According to Komning, the officers' tasks are "complex" and their work is "outstanding" in view of the growing smuggling crime.

What is particularly interesting is the fact that the AfD does not see the problems of illegal migration primarily in the federal police. Komning pointed out that the “seriousness and assertiveness” of officials in border transfers must be recognized. At the political level, the AfD is calling for a number of measures: the elimination of the “pull factors” for migration, a reduction of social benefits to benefits in kind and an end to family reunification for people in need of secondary protection. All of these proposals shed a harsh light on the already tense refugee situation.

Development of smuggling crime

A look at the developments of the last few years shows that the trends in smuggling crime are anything but optimistic. The federal situation reports document not only a dramatic increase in smuggling, but also an increasing willingness to take risks on the part of smuggling groups. In 2023, there were over 1,200 registered smuggling cases, where over 17,500 people were smuggled in small vans. This increased activity is supported by the clever use of messenger services such as Telegram and WhatsApp.

• 7.924 Fälle polizeilich registriert (Anstieg: 60 %)
• 4.404 Tatverdächtige festgestellt (Anstieg: 26 %)
• Anstieg auf über 1.200 Behältnisschleusungen mit geschlossenen Personen

The increase in smuggling services is worrying. The smugglers' routes and tactics have also been optimized, as recent reports show. The people who rely on these risky paths often end up in a spiral of violence, exploitation and desperation.

World exhibition and responsibility for refugee children

Especially on today's International Refugee Day, it is important to focus on the vulnerable groups among migrants. Over 473 million children currently live in conflict zones and many of them experience a frightening reality in refugee camps. On this topic, Save the Children emphasizes that refugee children not only need physical support, but also deserve a voice in public. They live in constant fear and uncertainty, which can affect their well-being in the long term.

The work of aid organizations like Save the Children is crucial. These help refugee children in crisis areas such as Syria, Bangladesh, Gaza and Ukraine. The need not only to demand positive changes in political debates, but also to take concrete measures to improve the conditions for refugees and people in need of help is more urgent than ever.

The federal government, the federal police and society as a whole are faced with the challenge of both improving the legal framework and ensuring the well-being of the people affected in crisis situations. The right level of federalism and policymaking here can be the key to addressing these challenging requests.