On May 7, 2025, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt announced a significant shift in immigration policy under the new government led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The government has ordered a crackdown on non-systematic immigrants, particularly asylum seekers, marking a departure from previous directives established during Angela Merkel's administration.
Dobrindt emphasized the importance of ensuring that police can effectively carry out deportation operations, stating that thousands of deportations would be conducted, including those involving families and children. He noted that exceptions would be made for vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women and children, but the overarching goal is to strengthen border controls and reduce the incentive for non-Islamic immigration.
According to the newspaper Bild, Dobrindt has ordered the deployment of an additional 3,000 federal police officers to the borders, raising the total number of law enforcement personnel tasked with preventing non-systematic immigrants from entering Germany to 14,000. "The system should not tolerate fundamental and greater forces than it was in the past," Dobrindt stated, underscoring the need for a more stringent approach.
This initiative comes in response to rising concerns about immigration and aims to address voter anxiety, particularly as the far-right Alternative for Germany party gains traction. Dobrindt's predecessor, Nancy Faeser, had predicted a decline in asylum applications to their lowest levels in a decade by 2025, as ongoing efforts to curb non-systematic immigration continue.
In a move to reinforce border security, Dobrindt plans to increase the number of federal border control units to 12, as reported by Der Spiegel. Andreas Rosskopf, head of the federal police union, indicated that the mobilization of forces at the borders began based on verbal instructions from the ministry.
These recent changes reflect a broader trend within the new coalition government, which includes a partnership between Merz's conservative bloc and the Social Democrats. Dobrindt's directive aims to reverse the 2015 policies that allowed entry for undocumented migrants from third countries, a shift that has sparked debates about the legal implications of rejecting asylum applications at the borders.
The former Interior Minister, Faeser, had previously expressed expectations that the number of asylum seekers would significantly decrease, potentially dropping to around 100,000 applications this year if the current trends of reduced non-systematic immigration persist. This marks a notable decrease from the 251,000 applications recorded in 2024, and the 352,000 in the previous year.
Rejecting asylum applications at the borders raises legal questions, especially as the coalition agreement between conservatives and Social Democrats mandates that such actions must be coordinated with neighboring countries. Dobrindt's statements have been met with criticism from various quarters, including human rights organizations, which argue that his approach may undermine fundamental rights and freedoms.
In his inaugural address, Dobrindt asserted that there would be no border closures, but emphasized the need for increased surveillance and clarity in immigration policies. He stated, "To achieve humanity and order together, we need surveillance, clarity, and determination. We will take decisions on safe countries of origin and European countries." This rhetoric aligns with his previous calls for stricter immigration laws and has been characterized as populist by some critics.
Moreover, Dobrindt's history of controversial statements regarding immigration has raised eyebrows. In June 2024, he suggested that Ukrainian refugees who are unemployed should be sent back to “safe areas in western Ukraine,” claiming that social benefits encourage idleness. Such remarks have drawn backlash from left-wing parties and human rights advocates.
The new interior minister's approach signals a decisive shift in Germany's immigration policy, focusing on security and stricter measures to control the flow of migrants. The coalition's commitment to enhancing border security is reflected in the deployment of additional police forces and increased rejection of asylum applications.
Observers anticipate that the federal police will see a temporary increase in personnel at the borders, although the long-term viability of maintaining such a force remains uncertain. The police union has expressed skepticism regarding the sustainability of these changes, highlighting the need for a clear legal framework for any proposed asylum rejections.
The Polish embassy in Berlin has also voiced concerns regarding the tightening of border controls, with the chargé d'affaires, Jan Tombinski, stating that existing border regulations already pose challenges to daily traffic and the functioning of the European internal market. This highlights the complexities of implementing stricter immigration policies in coordination with neighboring countries.
As the new government settles into its role, the implications of Dobrindt's policies will be closely monitored. While some view these measures as necessary for national security and stability, others fear that they may lead to a deterioration of democratic values and human rights protections.
In the wake of these developments, the challenge for Dobrindt and the coalition government will be to strike a balance between maintaining security and upholding the principles of democracy and human rights. The coming months will reveal how these policies are implemented and their impact on Germany's immigration landscape.
