Germany Tightens Border Controls Amid Rising Migration Concerns

[Social Media]

 

Germany has initiated widespread border controls to address increasing concerns over irregular migration, citing an overwhelmed asylum system. Starting Monday, September 16, German police began passport checks across all land borders, expanding previous controls that had been limited to the eastern and southern frontiers. This change, expected to last for at least six months, now includes the country's northern and western borders, affecting crossings with Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France.

 

Germany, located at the heart of the Schengen Area—a 29-country zone with largely open borders—faces criticism for imposing such extensive measures. While internal border checks in the Schengen region are generally rare, they are permitted under certain conditions. However, member states have the autonomy to decide when such conditions are met, with only a notification required to the European Commission. The EU can issue reprimands for violating Schengen rules, though it has never done so, instead emphasizing that such controls should be a "last resort," as EU Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper recently reiterated.

 

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has justified the expanded border controls by pointing to the strain on Germany’s asylum system and the rise in irregular migration. "Our system is overloaded," she stated, expressing concern about Germany's capacity to process the influx of migrants. 

 

Germany's move is not an isolated case. In recent years, eight other Schengen members have reinstated various forms of internal border controls. France, in particular, has maintained comprehensive checks since the Islamist terrorist attacks in 2015 and 2016, citing national security threats. Germany, since 2015, has also been monitoring its border with Austria, claiming the need to reduce the risks of terrorism and manage asylum seekers. Similar actions have been taken by Austria, which controls its borders with Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia.

 

“Not all travelers will be required to present passports,” he explained, noting that only suspicious vehicles would be pulled over. However, a German police union raised concerns about the strain these new checks could put on police forces, arguing that an additional 5,000 officers are needed to manage the increased workload. Federal police leadership disagrees, with Germany's Interior Ministry maintaining that there are enough resources to handle the new measures.

 

If migrants attempt to enter without authorization, they may be refused entry unless they apply for asylum. Faeser stressed the need for Germany to ensure those seeking asylum are either processed or sent back to the country where they first entered the Schengen Area. According to the EU’s Dublin Regulation, the first country of entry is typically responsible for processing asylum claims. Faeser has called for speeding up negotiations with EU member states and improving access to asylum databases to handle these cases more efficiently.

 

From January to July 2024, about 34,000 people attempted to enter Germany illegally, with half being turned away at the border. This number is lower than the 127,000 recorded last year, but it remains unclear how many more migrants could have been intercepted with expanded controls.

 

Hungary, which has long faced criticism for its strict stance on migration, issued a scathing statement regarding Germany's new border measures. "Funny how a few years—and a migration crisis—can change minds, isn’t it?" remarked Hungarian government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs, pointing to the irony of Germany now adopting stricter border policies similar to those it once criticized.

 

Credit: DW 2024-09-17

 

 

 

[newbee2022]

2 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

Germany has initiated widespread border controls to address increasing concerns over irregular migration, citing an overwhelmed asylum system. Starting Monday, September 16, German police began passport checks across all land borders, expanding previous controls that had been limited to the eastern and southern frontiers. This change, expected to last for at least six months, now includes the country's northern and western borders, affecting crossings with Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France.

 

Germany, located at the heart of the Schengen Area—a 29-country zone with largely open borders—faces criticism for imposing such extensive measures. While internal border checks in the Schengen region are generally rare, they are permitted under certain conditions. However, member states have the autonomy to decide when such conditions are met, with only a notification required to the European Commission. The EU can issue reprimands for violating Schengen rules, though it has never done so, instead emphasizing that such controls should be a "last resort," as EU Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper recently reiterated.

 

 

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has justified the expanded border controls by pointing to the strain on Germany’s asylum system and the rise in irregular migration. "Our system is overloaded," she stated, expressing concern about Germany's capacity to process the influx of migrants. 

 

Germany's move is not an isolated case. In recent years, eight other Schengen members have reinstated various forms of internal border controls. France, in particular, has maintained comprehensive checks since the Islamist terrorist attacks in 2015 and 2016, citing national security threats. Germany, since 2015, has also been monitoring its border with Austria, claiming the need to reduce the risks of terrorism and manage asylum seekers. Similar actions have been taken by Austria, which controls its borders with Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia.

 

“Not all travelers will be required to present passports,” he explained, noting that only suspicious vehicles would be pulled over. However, a German police union raised concerns about the strain these new checks could put on police forces, arguing that an additional 5,000 officers are needed to manage the increased workload. Federal police leadership disagrees, with Germany's Interior Ministry maintaining that there are enough resources to handle the new measures.

 

If migrants attempt to enter without authorization, they may be refused entry unless they apply for asylum. Faeser stressed the need for Germany to ensure those seeking asylum are either processed or sent back to the country where they first entered the Schengen Area. According to the EU’s Dublin Regulation, the first country of entry is typically responsible for processing asylum claims. Faeser has called for speeding up negotiations with EU member states and improving access to asylum databases to handle these cases more efficiently.

 

From January to July 2024, about 34,000 people attempted to enter Germany illegally, with half being turned away at the border. This number is lower than the 127,000 recorded last year, but it remains unclear how many more migrants could have been intercepted with expanded controls.

 

Hungary, which has long faced criticism for its strict stance on migration, issued a scathing statement regarding Germany's new border measures. "Funny how a few years—and a migration crisis—can change minds, isn’t it?" remarked Hungarian government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs, pointing to the irony of Germany now adopting stricter border policies similar to those it once criticized.

 

Credit: DW 2024-09-17

 

 

 

The "Dublin 3" is obviously not working. Time to review the EU agreements in the Schengen area and to find solutions outside Europe.

[roquefort]

Hungary, which has long faced criticism for its strict stance on migration, issued a scathing statement regarding Germany's new border measures. "Funny how a few years—and a migration crisis—can change minds, isn’t it?" remarked Hungarian government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs, pointing to the irony of Germany now adopting stricter border policies similar to those it once criticized.

 

Typical EU hypocrisy. The EU’s Dublin Regulation is a dead duck, witness the huge numbers seeking asylum in the UK having passed through half a dozen safe countries to get there.

[jippytum]

long overdue. 

Time for people  who have made contributions all their lives to object to illegal immigants   receiving  cash handouts and housing. Often to the disadvantage of local people. 

[Luuk Chaai]

Great !!!!      close all the borders to tresspassers

 

[daveAustin]

13 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

According to the EU’s Dublin Regulation, the first country of entry is typically responsible for processing asylum claims.

Unless the 'asylum' seeker wishes a bigger handout.

[thaibeachlovers]

German Government Tightens Border Controls Afraid of Voters Changing to AFD.

 

IMO

[Will B Good]

 

 

The coalition is going down the same path as the Tories did when Farage scared them witless.

 

They will make decisions based on 'how do we stay in power' rather than morals.

 

Look where the Tories are now.

[JonnyF]

On 9/17/2024 at 3:35 AM, Social Media said:

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has justified the expanded border controls by pointing to the strain on Germany’s asylum system and the rise in irregular migration. "Our system is overloaded," she stated, expressing concern about Germany's capacity to process the influx of migrants. 

 

Who could have predicted that failing to control your borders would result in such a situation?

 

Oh, wait a minute... 😃

[James105]

15 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

The coalition is going down the same path as the Tories did when Farage scared them witless.

 

They will make decisions based on 'how do we stay in power' rather than morals.

 

Look where the Tories are now.

 

The tories presided over mass uncontrolled and mass illegal immigration despite being elected on a promise to reduce and control immigration.  The tories are no longer in power as they did the exact opposite of what people voted them into power to do.  If they had controlled immigration and stopped illegal immigration they would be in power today, and reform/Farage would be irrelevant.  

 

Those who get elected on false promises have no morals, as we are seeing from Labour today as they demonstrate unparalleled incompetence and hypocrisy.   They will serve a single term and be replaced by a Tory/reform coalition I should think unless they follow Europe and start to tackle the uncontrolled legal and illegal immigration problem. 

Edited September 18 by James105

[mdr224]

Europeans should be warning americans not to make their mistakes…instead they are posting here encouraging us to become more liberal.

[superal]

On 9/17/2024 at 8:18 AM, jippytum said:

long overdue. 

Time for people  who have made contributions all their lives to object to illegal immigants   receiving  cash handouts and housing. Often to the disadvantage of local people. 

Totally agree and every UK person I talk to agree also . However Starmer is slamming up all who those who protest against immigration  , either protesting on the streets or by statements on social media . Sooner rather than later there will be a revolt against the labour government who have an " I'm alright Jack " attitude . They are not halting immigration but are giving every assistance to make them comfortable , whilst their own O.A.Ps try to survive on a national pension that is half of the minimum wage . The act of withdrawing the winter fuel payment from most O.A.P.s will result in many deaths cause by the cold weather and R. Reeves & co could be charged with manslaughter . 

[FruitPudding]

Good