Border controls increased: Dobrindt orders rejections!

Border controls increased: Dobrindt orders rejections!

Frankfurt/Oder, Deutschland - The federal police asked customs for administrative assistance on the occasion of the increased border controls. This request is currently being examined, as a spokeswoman for the Federal Ministry of Finance explained. The new Federal Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) has ordered the controls to be intensified since taking office in early May. The measure aims at the systematic rejection of asylum seekers at the German borders, a practice that can be compared with earlier controls in 2008.

In the mid -September 2023, stationary controls have been carried out at all land borders in Germany. At some border crossings, such as in Frankfurt/Oder to Poland, the control is carried out randomly. The Federal Police point out that asylum seekers, as well as foreigners without a visa or with a reinforced lock, can be rejected at the border. The only exceptions are sole traveling minors, mothers with small children, heavily pregnant and seriously ill.

legal and practical challenges

The measures encounter resistance, in particular on the part of the SPD, which argues that the flat -rate rejections are not compatible with European law. SPD parliamentary group vice Sonja Eichwede calls for close coordination with European partners. In this context, Dobrindt and Chancellor Friedrich Merz rely on the German Asylum Act and Art. 72 TFEU, which allows the EU member states to deviate from European asylum rules under certain conditions. Merz made it clear that the rejections are in line with European law and that European neighbors are informed.

The union of the police (GdP) expressed concerns about the feasibility of the controls and estimates that they can only be persevered for a few weeks. Dobrindt rejected this assessment. The Federal Police also informs that the first rejections have taken place in the past few weeks. Among other things, four Afghan citizens who had previously placed asylum applications in Greece were rejected from Luxembourg.

intensification of presence and resource management

Since mid -October 2023, the customs police have supported the federal police with around 450 additional employees at the borders to Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria and Switzerland. Nevertheless, the Ministry of Finance expresses that an increase in customs forces must not endanger the legal tasks in other areas. The increased controls lead to millions of overtime for the police, which fueled the discussion about extensions of the service times and the use of alarm dogs.

The federal police are facing a dilemma: it cannot monitor the almost 4,000 kilometer border without gaps. The term "irregular migration" refers to undocumented border crossings and illegal stay. Refugee organizations argue that migration itself does not violate laws, while legal controversy persist on the application of national and European law.

The measures at the limits reflect a fundamental change in German asylum policy. With the aim of reducing the numbers of irregular entry, new checkpoints with blue and white pavilions as well as tents and containers were built. The situation remains tense and the discussion about the legality and appropriateness of these measures will continue.