Permanent border controls at Germany’s frontiers — including with Poland — were not supposed to cause massive traffic jams, according to assurances from our western neighbor. But what does the reality look like? Although the new regulations haven’t officially taken effect yet, by this afternoon, the traffic jam before the highway border crossing in Jędrzychowice had already stretched 15 kilometers.
The Polish Border Guard has admitted to picking up migrants on German territory and transporting them back to Poland. However, it does not monitor this practice or collect numerical data — this was revealed in an official response from the Border Guard to questions from Niezalezna.pl. We reported on this issue several days ago in the article: Border Guard Keeps Silent. Loud Echoes of Our Story! Ziobro: Tusk Is Playing Games.
Germany and Border Control
Germany’s incoming interior minister, Alexander Dobrindt, has announced that immediately after taking office, he will order stricter border controls and initiate the return of migrants who are not authorized to enter the country.
“We need more border checks and the turning back of migrants at the border. The number of illegal immigrants is still too high. That’s why next week, on Wednesday, I will issue the appropriate order to increase checks. Controls will begin, and consequently, the number of people turned back at the border will rise. It’s only logical,” said Dobrindt, the designated interior minister.
Asked about opposition from Poland and Austria to the planned return of migrants from the border, Dobrindt explained that this would be a gradual “process.”
“It will be a process that will not place a burden on our neighbors,” assured the CSU politician from Bavaria.
He added:
“We are not closing the borders, we are not causing massive traffic jams, we are simply doing what is necessary to curb illegal immigration. That is also in the interest of neighboring countries.”
Assurances vs. Reality
As a reminder: starting tomorrow, all travelers crossing the borders will be subject to mandatory document checks, as well as detailed inspections of luggage and vehicles. Individuals without valid documents may be turned away at the border.
Meanwhile, as reported by the eluban.pl portal, the situation on Polish roads tells a different story. Drivers on the A4 motorway heading towards Germany are already experiencing significant slowdowns as far back as the town of Strzelno. Traffic begins to grind to a halt roughly eight kilometers before the border.
“Traffic is also beginning to slow on national road 94 leading to the A4 junction in Zgorzelec. At times, the traffic jam before the exit toward the Jędrzychowice border crossing reaches 3 kilometers. The situation is slightly better at the Olszyna highway border crossing on the A18. At 3:30 p.m., the queue before the German checkpoint there was about 2.5 kilometers long,” the report states.
Zgorzelec police are urging that in case of congestion on the A4, passenger vehicles should divert to the Radomierzyce crossing, while trucks should head to the Sieniawka border checkpoint.