Rise in Illegal Entries to Germany via Belarus

Berlin – Following a surge in illegal entries into Germany through the Belarus route earlier this year, the numbers have shown a slight decline in June. The Federal Police recorded 663 illegal entries in June, down from 1,125 in May, which had seen a significant rise from 865 in April and 413 in March. This trend has prompted discussions among Bundestag representatives regarding the ongoing political situation and border security measures. The Belarus route, which facilitates illegal entry into the EU, has been a focal point of contention, with Poland and the European Union accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko of orchestrating these movements since 2021. The route leads from Belarus across the external EU border into Poland, and the German government reported a total of 3,117 illegal entries via this path in the first half of 2023. In total, 11,932 individuals have entered Germany through this route in 2023, with Afghans constituting the largest group among those arriving illegally. Other nationalities include Syrians, Somalis, Indians, Iranians, and Yemenis. Many of these individuals lack proper documentation, complicating their entry into the country. In response to the rising numbers, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser implemented temporary border checks with Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland in October of the previous year, a measure that has been extended multiple times to enhance border security.