Illegal Immigration Peaks in Germany: A Call for Border Pushbacks

By Thomas Brooke, Remix.news

Illegal Immigration Hits a 5-Year High

Germany's illegal immigration statistics for the first quarter of 2024 have hit a five-year high, according to recent government data. The federal government has acknowledged its inability to effectively manage the ongoing migration crisis, as revealed in its written response to a query by AfD lawmaker Martin Hess, which was reported by the German news outlet Junge Freiheit. By April 1, federal police had recorded a total of 20,000 illegal border crossings into Germany, a 2 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

Increased Activity at the German-Polish Border

In March, the German-Polish border saw a significant surge in illegal migrant activity, recording the highest number of illegal border crossings. The number of irregular crossings from Poland into Germany for March was 1,646, a considerable increase from the 911 cases reported in the previous month. Illegal crossings from Czechia also increased from 509 to 644. In total, 7,079 cases of illegal border activity were recorded in March, an increase from 5,993 in February.

Contradictory Statements by Federal Interior Minister

These figures contradict the statements made by Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser last month, who proclaimed the government's crackdown on illegal immigration to be a success in an interview with the regional Funke Mediengruppe newspaper. Faeser stated that the border controls had resulted in the arrest of 708 suspected smugglers and prevented 17,600 migrants from illegally crossing the border since October. She further emphasized that those who do not require protection should not be allowed into Germany or should be promptly asked to leave.

Revelations Following a Request by Martin Hess

These figures were only disclosed after a request by Martin Hess, a Member of Parliament for the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Hess expressed his concerns over the government's claims of successful border controls in a social media post on Tuesday, stating that the figures reveal an ongoing lack of control over the situation. He also noted an increase in illegal entries compared to the same period last year. Hess, a conservative lawmaker, argued that border officials lacked crucial tools to combat illegal migration on the ground. He called for federal police officers to be given the authority to turn back illegal immigrants at the borders.

Final Thoughts

The ongoing migration crisis in Germany is a complex issue, with the recent surge in illegal immigration raising concerns among lawmakers and the public alike. The contrasting views of the government and lawmakers like Martin Hess highlight the need for a comprehensive and effective approach to managing this crisis. What are your thoughts on this issue? Do you believe stricter border controls are the solution? Share this article with your friends and let's continue this important conversation. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, every day at 6pm, to stay informed on this and other crucial topics.