Germany resumes control at all land borders due to migrant crisis

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has ordered the introduction of temporary controls at all of the country’s land borders to restrict people entering without a visa.

Several German media outlets, including DPA and Bild as well as Reuters, reported this, citing sources.

Berlin has decided to tighten border controls, not only to curb illegal migration but also to protect internal security from the threats of Islamist terrorism and cross-border crime.

The German side has already informed the European Commission about the restrictions. In addition, according to Bild, Feser wants to meet with the CDU/CSU parliamentary group to discuss the new restrictions.

According to DPA, the German government has also developed a “model of effective forced return in accordance with European law” that will expand the possibility of deporting foreigners, but its details are unknown.

Currently, forced returns at Germany’s land borders are only carried out in certain cases: if someone is banned from entering the country or has not applied for asylum.

According to the German Ministry of the Interior, since October 2023, when stationary control was introduced at the country’s land borders, more than 30,000 people have been prevented from entering the country.

Discussions about toughening deportation rules in Germany have flared up after the high-profile terrorist attack in Solingen last month. Against this backdrop, the German government agreed on a package of measures on migration and asylum.

The leader of the opposition CDU, Friedrich Merz, called for a general ban on the admission of people from Syria and Afghanistan. SPD Secretary General Kevin Kunert and Justice Minister Marco Buschmann rejected this proposal, citing the Constitution.