According to initial data, more than 3,500 asylum applications have been submitted in the first four days since the introduction of new border controls in Germany, WELT reported, citing the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.
This is slightly more than in the previous period: 3,581 applications were submitted from Monday to Thursday and 3,063 a week earlier. So far, the new border regime introduced by Germany on Monday seems able to only slightly reduce the level of illegal immigration into the country.
The internal police statistics available to WELT show to what extent the new checkpoints on the western sections of the border have succeeded in preventing illegal crossings. According to internal data from the Federal Police, 182 illegal crossing attempts had been recorded on the entire section of the border, i.e. on the sections with the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and France, by Thursday, of which 100 were prevented outright.
The German Interior Ministry refused to confirm or deny these figures. President of the German Police Union Andreas RösskopfDespite supporting the new control measures, he drew attention to serious deficiencies.
“We have already noticed that known checkpoints are being bypassed. For example, Flixbus buses that illegal immigrants often use leave the motorways and head for neighbouring roads.” – Rosskopf said, as quoted by the Russian telegram channel Bild.*.
It should be recalled that since 16 September, under the direction of German Interior Minister Nancy Feser, control measures have been introduced at all of the country’s external borders, aimed at preventing illegal border crossings and strengthening security.
*An organization that performs the functions of a foreign agent.
