Fewer unauthorized entries to Saxony in the first half of the year

In the first half of 2024, a good 40 percent fewer people entered Saxony without permission than in the previous year. According to a statement, the Pirna Federal Police Directorate recorded 6,069 unauthorized entries from January to June. In the first six months of last year, there were still 10,425 unauthorized entries. However, the six-month figures are only of limited significance because the overall annual trend is missing.

When comparing the past few months, it is striking that the number of unauthorized entries fell drastically from September 2023 to February 2024. In September last year, the Federal Police counted 7,422 unauthorized entries, in October 4,994 and in November 845. In February, the number fell to 647. Since then, unauthorized entries have been slightly higher again - between around 1,083 in March and 940 in June.

The Federal Police also recorded a decline nationwide. In the first six months of this year, 42,307 people were registered who entered Germany without permission. From January to June 2023, there were 45,338 unauthorized entries. This represents a year-on-year decrease of almost seven percent.

Fixed controls with Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland

In mid-October last year, Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser (SPD) ordered fixed controls at the land borders with Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland and has extended them several times since then. They are currently limited until December 15 for Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Poland and until November 11 for Austria. The aim is to combat people smuggling and limit irregular migration.

Fixed border controls are controversial

Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU) wants to maintain border controls in Saxony in the long term. "The number of illegal entries into Saxony is still too high," he said during a visit to the Görlitz police headquarters at the beginning of July. Kretschmer is currently having a task force examine the requirements for setting up a Saxon border police force.

The police union for the federal police considers dragnet searches along the border to be more effective than fixed controls.