Germany announces an extension of Swiss German border controls until mid-June 2024, aiming to combat people smuggling and regulate migration flows.

Germany has decided to prolong the border checks with Switzerland, Poland, and the Czech Republic until June 15, 2024. As stated by the German Interior Ministry, this decision is a strategic move to intensify the battle against people smuggling and mitigate irregular migration. The Federal Police will thus retain the capability to employ a comprehensive spectrum of border control tactics, both stationary and mobile, as articulated by Interior Minister Nancy Faeser.

In response to a significant uptick in refugee numbers, Faeser initiated temporary stationary controls at borders with Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Switzerland in mid-October. Since then, the measures have led to the detection of nearly 23,000 unauthorized entries, with approximately 13,000 actions taken to prevent entry or terminate residence. Furthermore, the initiative has resulted in the arrest of 564 individuals involved in people smuggling.

A noteworthy decline in unauthorized entries has been observed, dropping from about 21,000 in September to roughly 6,700 by January. “Our measures are effective,” Faeser remarked, emphasizing the success of the border controls. Without this extension, the controls were set to expire by mid-May. It’s also noted that the longstanding controls at the German-Austrian border will persist until May 11.

This extension underscores Germany’s commitment to safeguarding its borders while addressing the complex challenges of migration and human trafficking. The Federal Police’s adaptive approach ensures that the security and regulatory measures at the Swiss-German border remain robust and effective.

©Keystone/SDA