Checks at borders with Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland to be extended

Checks at borders with Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland to be extended

The reason for this was the significant increase in the number of refugees in Germany. At the beginning of December, Faeser initially extended the controls until December 15.

The SPD politician was convinced of the effectiveness of border controls in the fight against people smuggling. "Our measures are working," said Faeser. "Our fight against the unscrupulous business of people smugglers, who brutally put human lives at risk, is successful."

Since October 16, the federal police have apprehended around 120 people smugglers at the three borders with the Czech Republic, Poland and Switzerland. "Our bundle of stationary and mobile controls is important in order to curb irregular migration to Germany and relieve the burden on our municipalities," said Faeser.

Since mid-October, the federal police have detected around 9,200 unauthorized entries at the borders to the three countries and have taken measures to prevent unauthorized entries and end unauthorized stays in around 4,370 cases, the Minister continued. "We will continue to do everything we can to ensure that the controls have as little impact as possible on the everyday lives of commuters, on trade and on travel."

However, Faeser went on to say that the protection of the EU's external borders was crucial to limiting irregular migration. The common European asylum system is needed for this. "I have also worked hard in Brussels this week to finalize the EU legislation on this now."

Dirk Wiese, deputy leader of the SPD parliamentary group, emphasized that border controls would be particularly effective in conjunction with the expansion of mobile border patrols. He also emphasized that border controls in the Schengen area could not be a permanent solution. "The conclusion of the European asylum reform, which is feasible this month, and thus the reorganization and better management of migration remains our top priority," said Wiese.

At the end of September, Germany cleared the way for the European asylum reform after months of hesitation. On behalf of the German government, Faeser approved the so-called crisis regulation, with which the EU wants to arm itself against new refugee crises. The EU countries must now agree on the legislative package with the European Parliament.

The German Police Union (GdP) considers controls at the German borders to be unsuitable for reducing the number of asylum seekers. "The number of asylum seekers cannot be reduced and asylum applications cannot be prevented by police means", said Andreas Roßkopf, head of the GdP federal police, in the Düsseldorf newspaper "Rheinische Post". Those responsible for security policy must now react to the fact that, according to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bamf), there was a new high of over 35,000 initial applications for asylum in November.

It needs to be clarified "whether thousands of police officers should actually remain at the border or whether they would not be better deployed for security in the cities and the asylum problem solved within the EU framework", said Roßkopf. After all, there is also a "highly sensitive security situation" in Germany.

cha/pw

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1. Faeser extended the border controls with Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland beyond December 15, acknowledging the surge in refugees in Germany.
2. The SPD politician, Faeser, endorsed the effectiveness of border controls in combating human trafficking, citing the apprehension of over 120 people smugglers since October.
3. Since mid-October, the Federal Police has intercepted around 9,200 unauthorized entries at Germany's borders with the Czech Republic, Poland, and Switzerland.
4. Faeser highlighted the significance of protecting the EU's external borders to deter irregular migration, emphasizing the importance of a common European asylum system.
5. Dirk Wiese, an SPD parliamentary group deputy leader, urged the combined use of extended border controls and mobile border patrols.
6. Wiese also underscored the need for the European asylum reform, advocating for better migration management that could alleviate the burden on municipalities.
7. The German Police Union (GdP) disputes the notion that border controls can reduce asylum seeker numbers, urging authorities to prioritize city security and seek a solution within the EU framework.
8. After reporting over 35,000 initial asylum applications in November, head of the GdP federal police Roßkopf suggested that resources could be better utilized in addressing the asylum problem and city safety.
9. Faeser has been actively pushing for the EU legislation on border protection, aiming to strengthen the EU's external borders and limit irregular migration.

Source: www.stern.de