Germany begins conducting checks at all its land borders
SUMMARY
Germany has started random checks at its land borders with five Western European nations—France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Denmark—targeting irregular migration and crime. This expansion comes after similar controls were implemented on its borders with Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Switzerland last year. Prompted by recent extremist attacks, including one by a Syrian migrant terrorist that killed three people, the measures are intended to curb migration and strengthen security. While some worry this challenges the EU's free travel principle under the Schengen Agreement, the German government insists the controls are temporary and necessary to address safety concerns. Police unions warn that with Germany’s vast borders, intensive checks will be challenging, making it difficult to stop and inspect every vehicle. Authorities will monitor how effective these measures are in reducing illegal migration and crime.
