German officials have disclosed that approximately 1,600 people who were initially refused entry at the country's borders have subsequently submitted asylum applications within Germany.
Border Control Measures and Asylum Data
As of October 31, records indicate 1,582 asylum claims from individuals who had been denied entry under enhanced border control procedures implemented since May 7. This information emerged in response to a parliamentary inquiry from the Green Party.
Since September 16, 2024, Germany has reinstated border checks at all land crossings, building upon earlier measures. The interior ministry expanded these controls to more effectively prevent unauthorized entries, with the temporary measures extended multiple times, most recently through mid-March 2026.
Border Enforcement Details
While border checks are typically not standard within the Schengen area, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt intensified existing controls shortly after assuming office in May. Police were directed to refuse entry to asylum seekers, with exceptions made for vulnerable groups including those who are ill or pregnant.
Provisional police statistics show that between May 8 and October 31, authorities identified 201 individuals as vulnerable. During this same period, they detected 32,236 unauthorized border crossings, with the majority occurring at frontiers with France, Poland, and Austria, as well as at airports.
Since the implementation of stricter controls in May, police have turned back 993 asylum seekers. This practice is justified under a provision of the Asylum Act, which permits refusal of entry when another state may be responsible for processing asylum claims under European or international agreements.
Political Criticism
Marcel Emmerich, domestic policy spokesperson for the Greens' parliamentary group, criticized the intensified border measures, stating: "Instead of improving security in this country, the border blockades harm the economy, disrupt commuters and burden the border regions every day."
He further argued that significant costs and burdens are being incurred for what he described as "staging" at borders, without clear evidence of enhanced security benefits.
