Germany Implements Nationwide Border Controls for 6 Months to Restrict Illegal Immigration

Controls aim to address illegal immigration and safeguard Germany against cross-border criminal activity and extremism, according to Interior Minister.

The German government has mandated the initiation of border controls at all land borders for a duration of six months to combat illegal immigration and extremist risks.

The controls are set to commence on Sept. 16. During a press briefing on Monday, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stated that the government had informed the European Union about the directive to implement border controls at land borders with France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark.

“We are enhancing our internal security through concrete measures and maintaining a firm stance against irregular migration,” Faeser remarked.

The decision by Germany to impose border controls challenges the Schengen Agreement, which permits free movement across European nations without internal border inspections.

As per the European Union’s regulations, countries within the Schengen area—excluding Cyprus and Ireland—may only introduce border checks as a last resort to prevent threats to internal security or public policy.

Last October, Germany declared temporary border controls with Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland to more effectively combat smuggling crime and restrict illegal immigration.

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The suspect, a 26-year-old Syrian national, surrendered to authorities and is currently detained on suspicion of murder and involvement in a terrorist group.

The Syrian individual was slated for deportation to Bulgaria last year but went missing for a period, evading deportation, as per German media reports.

“We must take all necessary measures to ensure that those ineligible to remain in Germany are repatriated and deported,” Scholz stated last month. “We have significantly expanded the mechanisms for executing such deportations.”

The chancellor highlighted a 30 percent rise in deportations this year already. “We will thoroughly examine how we can further elevate these figures,” Scholz added.

Last week, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) achieved significant success in state elections, emerging as the foremost political entity in eastern Germany.

AfD leaders have advocated for stringent border controls and a reduction in asylum seekers.

Guy Birchall, Reuters, and The Associated Press contributed to this report.