Germany is taking decisive action to curb illegal immigration. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and Brandenburg’s Interior Minister Katrin Lange have announced the opening of a new deportation centre in Eisenhüttenstadt, where migrants who entered Germany illegally will be swiftly processed and sent back to Poland within two weeks. “If people come to Germany despite having to undergo asylum procedures in another EU country, they must be sent back more quickly,” Faeser emphasized.
Cutting Financial Incentives
To discourage illegal crossings, Germany is cutting financial aid for migrants held at the centre. Instead of cash handouts, they will only receive basic necessities: “a bed, bread, and soap.” The aim is clear—make Germany a less attractive destination for those trying to bypass legal asylum procedures. The German government is also working closely with Polish authorities to expedite deportations, with Faeser assuring, “We are in good dialogue with Poland.”
Nationwide Crackdown on Illegal Migration
Eisenhüttenstadt is not the first facility of its kind—Hamburg has already implemented a similar approach. The government plans to establish these centres across all 16 federal states, ensuring that illegal migrants cannot vanish into the system while awaiting decisions. With migration emerging as a central issue ahead of the February 23 elections, opposition parties are slamming Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s administration for its previous inaction and failure to secure Germany’s borders.
Germany’s Struggle with Deportations
Germany has long struggled with deportations. In 2023 alone, the government requested that other EU nations take back 74,000 migrants under the Dublin Regulation. Only 44,000 requests were approved, and shockingly, fewer than 6,000 deportations were successfully carried out. Many Germans are frustrated with the lax enforcement and demand stronger action to protect national security and social stability.