Illegal entries into Germany are on the rise again
This year, 36,100 unauthorized entries have already been detected at German borders. This is a 47 percent increase over the previous year
Quelle: Image Alliance/NurPhoto/Nicolas Economou
After the travel restrictions during the Corona period, migration pressure is increasing significantly again. The Balkan route is particularly affected, with more people coming to Germany from Syria and Afghanistan.
I amIn the past few months, the federal police have again identified a significant number of illegal entries into Germany. This emerges from a secret situation paper of German defense officials available to the Welt am Sonntag. In Austria, the situation is already comparable to 2015. At that time, a particularly large number of immigrants traveled to Europe.
While 4,400 people entered the federal republic illegally in January, the figure rose steadily month-on-month to 6,900 in July. In total, 36,100 unauthorized registrations have already been identified in the first half of this year. This is a 47 percent increase over the previous year.
A spokeswoman for the Interior Ministry said that most people traveling illegally to Germany are coming to Germany via the Balkans. Syrian, Afghan, Turkish, Iraqi and Tunisian nationals are the most common. “The rising numbers are also due to the further relaxation of pandemic-related travel restrictions in Europe,” the Home Office said.
In security circles, these numbers are not expected to decline again in the near future. In addition, the actual number of illegal entries into Europe may be higher, as checks at borders are only random.
The number is also increasing at the EU’s external borders. According to an internal analysis by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), which is also available to WELT AM SONNTAG, a total of 35,000 unauthorized border crossings were recorded at the EU and Schengen external borders in July. This number was significantly higher than the previous month (June: 29,000) and higher than the same month last year (20,700). The number of asylum applications has also increased. According to the EU Asylum Agency EUAA, around 406,000 asylum applications were received in the EU countries, Norway and Switzerland (“EU+”) in the first half of 2022. Compared to the same period last year, this is an increase of 68 percent.
The Western Balkans and the route through the central Mediterranean are currently focal points for migration movements, according to a secret situational report by German security officials. In addition, crossings from Turkey to Italy are becoming more important. In Germany, the national borders of Austria and the Czech Republic are particularly affected.
The letter pointed out that Austria is now facing the highest number of migrants and asylum seekers since 2015. It also says migrant pressure will not ease in the coming weeks. On the contrary, the number is expected to rise further.
A similar situation exists at the border of the Czech Republic, where the number of illegal immigrants has also increased tremendously recently. Czech police have informed German authorities that Slovakia is not currently turning back people who entered the Czech Republic without permission. As a result, migrants arrested in the Czech Republic who have not applied for protection are asked to leave the country by the police, but are released again. The refugees then continued their journey. If the situation does not improve, the Czech Interior Ministry wants to reintroduce border controls with Slovakia, the report said.
Police officials told this newspaper that refugees from Syria and Afghanistan are now frequently traveling by train to Germany. As public transport is much cheaper than sluice gates to the destination country, this may be an indication that people are brought to Europe via sluice gates and then travel alone.
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