Over 1,500 Previously Refused Migrants Applied for Asylum After Border Controls Tightened

Since the intensification of border checks at Germany's land frontiers, more than 1,500 individuals previously refused entry have subsequently sought asylum within the country, according to official data. The figures, drawn from the Central Register of Foreigners and referenced in government responses to parliamentary inquiries, indicate that as of the end of October, 1,582 asylum applications were submitted by people who had earlier been turned away at the borders under the enhanced controls implemented from May onward.

These statistics do not specify whether the asylum requests were made near the border during renewed entry attempts or after these individuals managed to enter the country elsewhere. The increase in border controls, which became comprehensive at all German land borders from September 2024, was enacted to address the rising number of unauthorized entries. Prior to this, controls had been in place in select locations. The Federal Ministry of the Interior extended the temporary controls twice, with the current measures set to continue until at least March 2026. Under the Schengen Agreement, such internal border checks are generally not standard practice.

The current policy was reinforced by the Interior Minister, who had instructed federal police to also refuse entry to asylum seekers, with exceptions made for vulnerable groups, including individuals who are ill or pregnant. Between early May and the end of October, federal police identified 201 people categorized as vulnerable at the border. In the same period, authorities recorded 32,236 unauthorized entries, with the highest numbers occurring at the borders with France, Poland, and Austria, as well as at airports. Specifically, more than 5,500 unauthorized crossings were detected at the French border.

Additionally, police data shows that between May and October, 993 asylum seekers were denied entry at the border following the intensified control measures. The legal basis for these rejections is a provision of the Asylum Act, which allows for the refusal of entry if there are indications that another European Union member state or a country with a relevant international agreement is responsible for processing the asylum application. In such cases, a transfer or readmission process is initiated in accordance with European regulations.

The reimplementation and expansion of border controls have drawn criticism from various political groups, particularly regarding their impact on border regions and cross-border economic activity. Some have argued that the measures impose significant costs and logistical burdens, while questioning their effectiveness in enhancing security. Despite this criticism, the government maintains that the controls are a necessary response to the challenges posed by irregular migration flows and are in line with both national and European legal frameworks.

As the border checks continue, the situation remains dynamic, with authorities closely monitoring both the number and profile of individuals seeking entry into Germany. The ongoing debate highlights the complexity of balancing border security, humanitarian obligations, and the economic interests of regions situated along Germany's frontiers.