On May 7 local time, Alexander Dobrindt, the newly appointed German Interior Minister, issued an order to deny entry to undocumented migrants at the German border, including asylum seekers. Dobrindt announced his decision to revoke the 2015 directive that allowed undocumented migrants from third countries to enter Germany, aiming to reduce the number of illegal immigrants, and he stated that the current number of illegal immigrants in Germany remains unacceptably high.
This move comes against a backdrop of growing concerns over immigration in Germany. Ahead of the German federal elections in February this year, there were multiple violent crimes involving immigrants, which led to a rise in the popularity of the far - right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The newly elected German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, had promised to crack down harshly on illegal immigration.
The revocation of the 2015 directive represents a significant shift in Germany's immigration policy. Since 2015, Germany has faced challenges in managing the influx of migrants, both in terms of social integration and security. Dobrindt's decision is expected to have a direct impact on the number of people attempting to enter Germany without proper documentation, and it may also influence the country's future stance on immigration and asylum - seeking procedures.
