Germany’s efforts to address rising levels of irregular migration have led to increased scrutiny and border controls. The German government is taking steps to regain control over the situation, but challenges persist, especially in rural border areas.
In Altenberg, a small town in Saxony near the Czech Republic, local officials and residents face the regular arrival of people smuggled across the border by traffickers.
Mayor Markus Wiesenberg revealed that this area experiences daily incidents of smugglers dropping off migrants, which put pressure on local services and raise concerns among residents.
Germany’s response to irregular migration has sparked national debates, with far-right groups gaining political ground by capitalizing on the issue.
Data from the German Federal Police released on Saturday revealed that 21,366 individuals illegally entered Germany in September. This marks the highest monthly tally of “unauthorized entries” since February 2016, when 25,650 people arrived following the peak of the “refugee crisis.” The increase in numbers continues a trend of rising illegal entries over the past seven months.
Police records indicate that 92,119 individuals entered Germany illegally from January to September 2023. This places the country on track to surpass the 112,000 people who illegally entered in 2016.
Illegal migration remains a contentious topic in Europe and within Germany, placing significant pressure on policymakers to devise an effective migration policy, a challenge they have struggled to address adequately.
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Inside an old youth hostel in rural Saxony, over 50 men await the outcome of their asylum applications.
Muhammad Abdoum, a 33-year-old Syrian, shared his story, from fleeing war-torn Syria through a challenging journey across Europe. He expressed hope for a new life in Germany but also reflected on the lost years during his journey.
Residents in rural areas, like Hermsdorf, have raised concerns about housing migrants in nearby apartments. Protests and fears of safety issues have emerged in response to potential integration of migrants into local communities.
The rise of far-right parties, such as the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), has prompted the government to take action, including plans to expedite deportations of failed asylum seekers.
While Chancellor Olaf Scholz denies that recent AfD successes influence government decisions, concerns and debates over migration persist.
Gerald Knaus, chair of the European Stability Initiative think tank in Berlin, criticizes border checks and fast-track asylum application plans as inadequate solutions.
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He proposes revisiting and expanding agreements similar to the 2016 deal with Turkey, which aimed to stem the flow of migrants into the EU.
Senior political figures in Germany and members of the governing coalition also support the idea of third-country deals, processing asylum claims in countries migrants pass through on their way to the EU.
As migration issues continue to dominate discussions, Chancellor Scholz is expected to address the topic in a meeting with regional leaders.
The challenges of irregular migration in Germany are intertwined with efforts to address labor shortages and support skilled foreign workers.
Additionally, Germany has welcomed over a million people, primarily women and children, from Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion.
The perception that the federal government is ill-prepared to address the situation remains a concern among local officials and residents. Mayor Wiesenberg noted, “It seems we didn’t learn the lesson of 2015,” referring to the European migration crisis’s peak, adding, “We are as unprepared as then.”
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