The German government has announced plans to expand border patrols in order to curb illegal crossings, following two recent attacks by rejected asylum seekers and the rise of anti-immigrant parties in state elections. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stated that the government is committed to strengthening domestic security and taking a tough stance on irregular migration.
Starting next Monday, federal police will increase patrols on Germany’s borders with France, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Denmark for at least six months. Southern and eastern borders with Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Poland have already been patrolled since last year. The government has turned away 30,000 individuals at these borders since implementing patrols.
The announcement signals a departure from Chancellor Angela Merkel’s 2015 decision to accept over a million refugees, as well as the current government’s acceptance of 1.2 million Ukrainian refugees following the Russian invasion. The issue of migration has become the dominant topic in German politics, with polls showing widespread concern over the impact of refugees and asylum policies.
The recent stabbing attacks by rejected asylum seekers with ties to ISIS have further fueled the debate on migration. The government is considering tightening asylum laws, including the potential of turning away refugees making asylum claims at the border. Opposition parties are calling for stricter measures, such as deporting asylum seekers to the first EU country they entered.
However, there are concerns about the impact of these measures on EU cohesion and the internal market. Some politicians are calling for an annual limit on asylum claims, but the legality and feasibility of such a policy remain uncertain. The Green party has warned against jeopardizing EU unity and millions of jobs through overly restrictive migration policies.
Source
Photo credit www.nytimes.com
