Status: 16.09.2024 00:01
In order to curb unregulated migration, there are now expanded border controls in Germany. Drivers in the north must also prepare for controls, for example at the Lower Saxony border with the Netherlands.
From midnight, checkpoints will be set up to monitor cross-border traffic, the Federal Police Directorate in Hanover announced. There will be permanent checkpoints in Lower Saxony at the following locations:
- Motorway A30 near Bad Bentheim
- Motorway A280 near Bunde
- Federal highway 402 near Schöninghsdorf (near Meppen)
THW employees set up a roadblock for a checkpoint in Bad Bentheim.
In addition, the Federal Police will also carry out search operations on secondary routes near the border with the Netherlands, according to a statement.
Checks also in rail traffic
At the checkpoints, “relevant vehicles and people are diverted from the flow of traffic and subjected to border police checks,” according to the Federal Police. The emergency services are also increasing their checks on cross-border rail traffic. The operation is being closely coordinated with the Lower Saxony state police, customs and Dutch security authorities, according to the Federal Police.
Samples planned in Schleswig-Holstein
In Schleswig-Holstein, checks are possible at the Danish border from today. However, there are apparently no plans to have permanent checkpoints. Instead, there will be random checks, said a spokesman for the Federal Police Directorate in Bad Bramstedt (Segeberg district). Checks will also be carried out on the North and Baltic Seas.
MV: Controls at the Polish border since autumn 2023
In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, there have been controls on the German-Polish border since October 2023. At that time, the Federal Ministry of the Interior ordered increased controls on the borders with Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s Interior Minister Christian Pegel (SPD) believes these are effective in reducing human trafficking and irregular migration. In a response from the Federal Ministry of the Interior to a query from AfD Bundestag member Leif-Erik Holm, it says that by the end of July, the federal police in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania had apprehended more people who had entered the country illegally than in the entire previous year.
AUDIO: Level of border controls: “Danger for smugglers is increasing” (7 min)
No traffic jams expected
The federal government does not expect any major traffic problems as a result of the expanded controls. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) told the “Bild”, there should be no traffic jams or long queues for drivers. The Federal Police also say that the impact on the movement of people and goods should be kept as low as possible. Travelers can help by keeping their identity cards or passports and, if necessary, residence permits to hand every time they cross the border.
Reasons for controls: Protection against crime and Islamist terrorism
Last week, the Federal Ministry of the Interior announced the temporary reintroduction of border controls at the German borders. The controls were intended to further curb illegal migration and protect against Islamist terrorism and serious cross-border crime, it said. CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader Friedrich Merz called for an assessment to be made at the end of the year to determine whether the controls have significantly reduced the number of illegal entries.
More information
According to the Federal Ministry of the Interior, there should be as little impact as possible on commuters, travelers and trade. Criticism comes from the SSW. (15.09.2024) more
From Monday, there will be random checks – without long traffic jams and in close coordination with neighbors, according to the Interior Minister.
extern
2 Min
The proposals to limit illegal entries are not sufficient, the reasoning goes. Katharina Seiler reports. (11.09.2024) 2 Min
Deportations to Afghanistan also took place from Lower Saxony and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania – the first in three years. (31.08.2024) more
Lower Saxony’s Prime Minister praises the solidarity of the traffic light coalition. The CDU believes the plans are not consistent enough. (30.08.2024) more
This topic in the program:
NDR 1 Lower Saxony | Current | 09.09.2024 | 18:00
