Border Returns Spiked to 12,000 Since May, According to Dobrindt

Despite facing widespread criticism, the Federal Interior Minister persists in advocating for a more stringent border policy to restrict unauthorized immigration. What have the outcomes been from this approach?

, and Administrator

2025 September 11 . 4:57 PM

2 min read

Thousands of Returns at Borders Reported Since May, According to Dobrindt

Border Returns Spiked to 12,000 Since May, According to Dobrindt

The Federal Police (Bundespolizei) have been conducting controversial border controls at German borders since September 2024, under the orders of Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt. These controls, which have been intensified since the new federal government took office in May 2025, were justified by security and migration concerns.

The focus of these measures is on correcting the situation and ending the "overburdening of Germany," as stated by Dobrindt in the ARD program "Caren Miosga." Since the new government took office, there has reportedly been a decrease in "asylum claims" at the German borders, which some attribute to the increased rejections.

According to Dobrindt, there has been a total of 12,000 rejected illegal entries at German borders since the new federal government took office. Approximately 660 of these were asylum seekers. However, Dobrindt did not commit to a figure for an upper limit on migration.

The increased rejections at the German borders have led to the spread of the message that it no longer makes a difference to attempt entry. Dobrindt acknowledged a noticeable effect at the borders, but did not want to put a number on the migration limit established by the new federal government.

It is important to note that a problem situation in Germany has built up over ten years, and there are integration and stress limits that need to be ensured not to be exceeded. Dobrindt stated that everything newly created adds to the existing problem.

The increased border controls and potential rejections of asylum seekers at the border were implemented by Dobrindt shortly after the new federal government took office in May. This move has been legally controversial, but Dobrindt's statements suggest that the focus is on addressing the current situation and managing migration in a way that is sustainable for Germany.