Increased Police Presence at German Borders to Combat Illegal Migration

In a bid to address the rising issue of illegal migration, Germany's new Minister of the Interior, Alexander Dobrindt, has announced plans to bolster police presence at the country's borders. This decision comes as part of a broader strategy aimed at enhancing border controls and implementing stricter measures for the return of migrants.

According to reports, Dobrindt is set to discuss the specifics of these plans with key officials, including the President of the Federal Police and the head of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. The intention is to initiate immediate action to deploy additional officers to the German land borders.

The Chairman of the Police Union (GdP) for federal police and customs, Andreas Roßkopf, indicated that a directive has been issued to increase personnel at border posts. This includes modifying duty rosters to ensure greater availability of officers. Reports suggest that the number of federal police units stationed at the borders may be doubled, alongside the introduction of mobile control and surveillance units.

Furthermore, officers in border inspection services may soon be required to work twelve-hour shifts to enhance operational efficiency. While some police union representatives have raised concerns about the potential strain this could place on personnel, proponents argue that the increased focus on border controls would alleviate pressure in other areas of law enforcement.

The current border control measures, which were initially implemented along the Austrian border in 2015, have been gradually expanded to encompass all border sections. During the recent election campaign, both Dobrindt and the current Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized the urgency of reinforcing these controls and expediting the return of asylum seekers.

According to the coalition agreement between the Union and the SPD, there is a commitment to collaborate with neighboring European countries to carry out returns at shared borders, even in cases involving asylum applications. However, the exact nature of this collaboration remains a topic of discussion, particularly regarding whether it necessitates formal agreements or merely informal consultations with neighboring nations.

As Germany grapples with the challenges posed by irregular migration, the emphasis on heightened border security reflects broader concerns over national and regional stability, as well as the need to manage migration effectively.