Border Returns Are Up: Over 12,000 Since May, According to Dobrindt

In a significant move, the German federal government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, with Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt at the helm, has implemented stricter border controls and begun turning back asylum seekers immediately after taking office in May 2024.

Dobrindt, in a recent interview on the ARD program "Caren Miosga", stated that the number of asylum claims has remained low since the reinforced rejections at the German borders. He also mentioned a problem situation that has built up over ten years, and his focus is on correcting the situation and ending the "overburdening of Germany".

However, Dobrindt did not commit to a figure for an upper limit on migration. He emphasised that everything new created adds to the problem, and he didn't want to sum up the situation in a figure. Instead, he highlighted the need to ensure integration limits and strain limits.

The CSU politician also suggested a correlation between the reinforced border rejections and the low number of asylum claims. He noted that the number of asylum seekers turned back is 660, and the total number of illegal entries turned back since May 8 is 12,000.

The approach of strengthened border controls and turning back asylum seekers is, however, legally controversial. It has been ordered that asylum seekers could be turned back at the border, and previously sporadic controls at Germany's external borders have been made more regular.

Despite the controversy, Dobrindt implied that the reinforced rejections at the German borders have noticeable effects. He stated that the reinforced border rejections have not significantly affected the number of attempts to cross the border illegally.

It's important to note that no specific figure for a migration cap was mentioned in the article. Dobrindt's comments suggest that the situation at Germany's borders is under control, but the long-term implications of these policies remain to be seen.