Germany Reinstates Border Checks to Address Migration Concerns, Experts Assess Potential Impact

Germany Reintroduces Temporary Border Checks Amid Migration Concerns

By Riham Alkousaa

Germany has reinstated temporary border checks, including at its borders with France and the Netherlands, as part of its strategy to tackle irregular migration and cross-border crime. This move comes as the coalition government adopts a stricter approach to migration in the wake of increased arrivals, particularly from people fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East, alongside growing support for far-right and conservative parties.

However, this decision has raised concerns among migration experts who argue that the effectiveness of such measures may be more symbolic than substantial. Hans Vorlaender, chairperson of Germany’s expert council on integration and migration, emphasized that the primary message sent by these checks is one of deterrence, demonstrating the state’s capacity to respond. He contended that while these controls might temporarily deter migration, smuggling networks will likely adapt by developing alternative routes. A more sustainable approach would involve processing asylum applications at the European Union (EU) external borders.

As officials implemented rigorous checks, traffic was managed carefully at key border points, such as the bridge connecting Frankfurt-Oder with Slubice in Poland. Local residents expressed mixed feelings, with some supporting the initiative as overdue. Yet, the checks also prompted protests from pro-asylum activists, who carried signs advocating for open borders, arguing that the discourse around illegal migration often overshadows deeper issues of racism.

Despite the new measures, Germany has experienced a significant decrease in asylum applications, reporting a 21.7% drop in the first eight months of the year. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser linked this decline to last year’s controls, which reportedly prevented over 30,000 unauthorized entries. Still, experts caution against attributing the drop solely to these border measures, noting the complexity of migration patterns driven by various factors, including political changes and policy shifts.

The new border checks, designed to target asylum seekers from neighboring EU countries, invoke the EU’s Dublin rules, which stipulate that asylum requests must be processed in the first member state where applicants arrive. However, it is noteworthy that only a small fraction of asylum applications in Germany fall under these regulations.

Meanwhile, the new checks extend across Germany’s northern and western borders, impacting neighboring countries such as Belgium, Luxembourg, and Denmark, in addition to existing controls with Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Switzerland. On the first day of implementation, traffic flows appeared relatively smooth, yet concerns have been raised by neighboring nations regarding the impact of these checks on the principle of free movement within the EU.

Residents in border towns have voiced skepticism regarding the efficacy of the measures, with some perceiving them as more of an inconvenience rather than an effective solution to irregular migration. The German federal police are set to conduct checks flexibly, aiming to minimize disruptions for commuters and trade. However, experts warn that the selective nature of these checks, labeled as "smart controls," could inadvertently lead to racial profiling, particularly affecting people of color.

In response to these concerns, the German interior ministry reiterated its stance that racial profiling and racially motivated police actions are unacceptable and unlawful.