Germany’s Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced plans to continue border controls after March next year as part of efforts to combat illegal migration.
This statement was made following a conference of federal and state interior ministers in Rüdersdorf on Friday.
Faeser highlighted the effectiveness of border control measures: over the past year, asylum applications decreased by 40%, 37,000 people were detained at the borders, and 1,600 individuals were arrested for smuggling. Additionally, deportations increased by 20%.
The interior ministers agree that criminals among asylum seekers should continue to be deported, including to Syria and Afghanistan. Deportation efforts to Afghanistan are ongoing, despite challenges caused by the situation in the country. The possibility of deportation to certain regions of Syria is also being explored.
Since September 16, Germany has implemented temporary internal border controls, which require approval from the European Commission, as such measures are not provided for within the Schengen Zone. Chancellor Olaf Scholz confirmed that border checks will continue for the foreseeable future.
