Germany tightens border controls in immigration clampdown

Germany will temporarily institute tighter controls at all of its land borders to reduce irregular migration and to improve security, Berlin said Monday.

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced in a press conference on Monday that the new controls will be in place for six months, starting Sept. 16.

“We want to further reduce irregular migration,” Faeser said. “To this end, we are now taking further steps that go beyond the comprehensive, ongoing measures.”

“The number of refusals will increase as a result of this measure alone,” she added.

Germany shares borders with nine countries: Poland, Austria, France, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Ordinarily, travel between the countries, which are all part of the Schengen area, is seamless.

However, the new controls mean German police will carry out checks on people seeking to cross.

Germany faced a surge in irregular migration last year, with over 250,000 people suspected of entering the country illegally, according to the authorities.

With assistance from Tim Kummert. This story is being updated.