Germany Plans Immediate Border Crackdown Under New Government

Germany’s incoming government under Chancellor-designate Friedrich Merz is preparing to initiate a comprehensive crackdown on irregular migration beginning this week. Designated Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) confirmed that he will issue a directive for enhanced border controls and increased migrant rejections as early as Wednesday, marking one of the first acts of the new administration.

Dobrindt stated that the number of irregular border crossings remains too high and must be brought down urgently. He emphasized that although migration cannot be managed solely at the national border, enhanced controls are a core part of the solution. “We need more border controls and more rejections,” Dobrindt said, adding that existing rejections had already shown early impact. He pledged to expand this approach, stating that Germany’s migration policy will undergo a fundamental shift.

Border Measures to Include Air Surveillance and New Police Posts

To implement the strategy, the government plans to deploy thousands of additional officers alongside the existing 11,000 federal police stationed at the borders. Interior ministers in states such as Baden-Württemberg have already pledged support, announcing expanded operations near the Swiss border and increased aerial surveillance.

Despite concerns about police capacity, Dobrindt argued that simplifying procedures for migrant processing would reduce the burden on law enforcement. He also announced plans to create new police positions, though he did not specify a target number.

Future operations, he explained, will be tailored by case type. Vulnerable groups would not be affected immediately, but the government intends to start with cases where fast-track rejection is legally viable. “This is a process,” he said, indicating that some categories of asylum-seekers would be prioritized for immediate return.

Tensions with Poland Over Border Controls

The Polish government has voiced strong objections to the plans, warning that stricter border enforcement could disrupt the European Union’s internal market and harm cross-border communities. Poland’s top envoy in Berlin, Jan Tombinski, stated that the current controls are already straining movement between the two countries, and any escalation would be difficult to explain domestically.

Poland supports strengthening the EU’s external borders, especially with Russia and Belarus, but insists that internal Schengen mobility should remain intact. Warsaw is particularly concerned about the political timing, with presidential elections scheduled for May 18. Germany’s new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, is scheduled to visit Polish President Donald Tusk next week.

Dobrindt dismissed the warnings from Warsaw as “political theater,” and insisted the procedures were long established and in line with European law.

Support and Criticism Within Germany

While the coalition of CDU, CSU, and SPD largely backs the policy shift, the opposition has been quick to voice doubts. Green Party leader Britta Haßelmann questioned the feasibility of rejecting asylum-seekers at the border without violating EU law. She compared Dobrindt’s new assignment to his failed attempt as transport minister to implement a car toll, which was ultimately declared illegal.

Haßelmann predicted that the proposed rejections would soon face legal challenges, particularly regarding compatibility with European asylum regulations. Critics argue that such rejections may be considered unlawful collective expulsions.

Despite legal risks, Dobrindt stressed that this new direction has stronger backing from the Chancellor’s Office than previous initiatives during the last grand coalition. “The difference is clear: there’s more support from the top now,” he said.

Broader Strategy Includes Processing Asylum Outside the EU

Alongside national measures, the new government is promoting a revised approach at the European level. Merz’s designated Chief of Staff, Thorsten Frei, stated that asylum processing should be outsourced to non-EU countries classified as safe third states. Frei also called for new frameworks to streamline deportations to countries outside the EU.

In parallel, the government intends to reevaluate individual commitments made under the previous administration’s humanitarian programs. Roughly 2,600 Afghan nationals with pending resettlement agreements are currently awaiting visa decisions. Frei said every case would be reviewed individually and that existing promises may be revoked if legal criteria are not met.

Domestic Focus: Containing Support for the AfD

Dobrindt linked the migration issue directly to Germany’s domestic political tensions, particularly the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). He stated that unchecked irregular migration contributes to societal polarization and undermines public trust. With the AfD gaining significant support in eastern states, Dobrindt argued that visible action on migration was essential for restoring unity.

He hopes the new direction will reduce divisions and regain control over a debate that has dominated German politics for years. “We must regain control over illegal migration if we want to hold this country together,” Dobrindt said.

Coalition Unity and Appeal to Voters

SPD leader and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state premier Manuela Schwesig urged her party’s base to support the new coalition, describing it as a critical test for Germany’s democracy. In many regions, she noted, neither CDU nor SPD received the most votes—those went to the AfD. Schwesig appealed for cooperation within the new federal government to deliver stability and regain voter trust.

She called on the coalition to prioritize the real needs of citizens: secure employment, affordable housing, and access to good education and childcare. Schwesig also pressed for stronger cooperation with regional and local governments, saying they had often warned in advance when national policies were failing.

Merz Government Faces Critical Week

As Merz prepares to assume office and present his policy agenda, the tightening of migration controls has emerged as a defining issue of his administration. From Warsaw to Berlin, the debate is intensifying, with legal, diplomatic, and humanitarian implications unfolding simultaneously. For the new government, the coming days will test both its unity and its ability to implement sweeping policy changes under pressure.