Germany moves to tighten border security

(MENAFN) Germany’s newly elected government has swiftly moved to tighten border security, signaling a major shift in immigration policy and delivering on a central campaign promise from Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader became chancellor after winning a second parliamentary vote on Tuesday and immediately began implementing tougher measures against illegal migration.

On Wednesday, the new Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt, issued an order banning asylum applications at all of Germany’s land borders. In a letter to Federal Police Chief Dieter Romann, Dobrindt revoked a 2015 directive from former Chancellor Angela Merkel that had opened Germany’s doors to over a million migrants during the refugee crisis—a policy that was later widely criticized.

While Dobrindt clarified that Germany's borders will remain open, he announced stricter controls, instructing border police to turn back migrants attempting to enter the country illegally. Exceptions will be made for vulnerable individuals such as children and pregnant women. The government also plans to reinforce its border security with an additional 2,000 to 3,000 officers, adding to the current force of 11,000.

Dobrindt assured that these new measures would not unduly burden neighboring nations and said discussions with those countries were already taking place. Germany shares approximately 3,700 kilometers of land borders with nine nations, including Austria, Poland, France, and the Netherlands—all within the EU’s Schengen Area, which typically allows for passport-free travel.

Immigration remains a deeply polarizing issue in Germany. Many local governments have expressed concern over the strain on resources caused by increasing numbers of asylum seekers. In 2024, Germany received over 237,000 asylum applications—about a quarter of the EU’s total—though that marked a decrease compared to previous years.

Meanwhile, the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, known for its hardline stance on immigration, was officially labeled an extremist threat by the country’s domestic intelligence agency last week. The party has filed a legal challenge against the classification.

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