The new administration in Germany, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, is making significant changes to the country’s immigration policy, a departure from the former stance under Chancellor Angela Merkel. One of the initial undertakings of the new government involves discontinuing their policy of allowing undocumented immigrants into the nation. This move, primarily aimed at curbing illegal immigration, signifies a step away from Merkel’s much-debated ‘open door’ policy.
This policy shift was unveiled by the new Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt, who confirmed the repeal of the contentious 2015 rule permitting migrants without proper documentation to reside in Germany. He reasoned that this strategic decision aims to reduce the fluctuating numbers of irregular migrants entering the nation.
However, Dobrindt emphasized that this new directive does not imply a blanket prohibition for all individuals aiming to cross the German borders. There are provisions for exceptions for specific vulnerable groups such as children and expectant mothers. ‘We’re not broadcasting an absolute closure of the borders’, Dobrindt stated, ‘Our objective is stricter border control leading to an increase in rejections’.
He further underscored: ‘This enhanced border control will not be a sudden switch, but a gradual process. The goal is an incrementally increased number of rejections, coinciding with more rigorous border controls. Essential to the success of this strategy will be an escalation of police presence at the borders, thereby enabling these pushbacks’.
With this new policy, Dobrindt, a leading figure in the ruling coalition’s conservative arm, is set to dispatch an additional 3,000 police officers to manage the borders. This boost will augment the border police force to 14,000 personnel, a move designed to assert stronger control.
Dobrindt’s announcement marks a concrete ending to Merkel’s 2015 ‘open door’ policy, an initiative that brought a considerable influx of asylum seekers to Germany, many of them escaping the Syrian war. However, this transformative policy stance has now culminated with the recent declaration of stricter border controls.
Reinforcing this stance, Chancellor Merz recently conveyed: ‘As a unified entity, the European Union must convey a clear message to those attempting to enter Europe without valid permits’. He further added, ‘We must also primarily signal to the smuggling syndicates that these routes will exhibit heightened difficulty, with an eventual closure. That’s the right and necessary collective message’.
By comparison, the current shifts in Germany’s immigration policy showcase a significant tightening compared to recent years. The additional 3,000 border police force personnel demonstrate the government’s determination to toughen border controls.
Moreover, the coalition government is charting out further strategies including but not limited to expelling deportees to Syria and putting a hold on family reunifications. These plans are transformative and will effectively reshape the country’s immigration landscape.
These dramatic changes in immigration policy are taking place amidst a backdrop of escalating backing for far-right groups within Germany. Amid the European migrant issue in the mid-2010s, Chancellor Merkel opted against refusing migrants, solidifying her ‘open door’ policy, and welcoming hundreds of thousands of refugees to Germany.
Nevertheless, Merkel’s decision has consistently faced opposition, with anti-immigration sentiment gaining momentum across Germany. The newly implemented policies are among the most rigid in Germany’s immigration history.
Merkel’s ‘open door’ policy has indisputably been a point of contention in her legacy as German Chancellor. Germany processed over a million asylum applications between 2015 and 2017 alone, but this situation was not unique to Germany. The 2015 migration crisis also shook the foundations of other countries.
The role of immigration in societal discourse has been overwhelmingly prominent in the United Kingdom, being a potent force leading to Brexit. During last year’s general election, high immigration figures and instances of illegal small boat crossings were frequently on the agenda.
In conclusion, the strict immigration regulations reflect the current German administration’s commitment to address rising concerns surrounding immigration. Observers watch closely as these deep-seated transformations continue to shape Germany’s approach on this sensitive issue, and potentially set a precedent for the larger European continent.