Immigration: Günther: Border controls “an important and effective tool”

Schleswig-Holstein’s Prime Minister Daniel Günther (CDU) defends controls to limit irregular migration. “I consider border controls at European internal borders to be an important and effective tool, especially where there is a high incidence of illegal entry,” Günther told the German Press Agency. “But the Federal Police can of course hardly guarantee the intensity of controls as during the European Football Championship in the long term.”

The controls in eastern and southern Germany since last autumn have had a significant impact on migration and human trafficking, said Günther. “There is therefore a changed attitude towards border controls in general.”

Immigration to the North

“Fortunately, the people of Schleswig-Holstein have a positive affinity for migration,” said Günther. “More than a million people fled to Schleswig-Holstein after the Second World War as a result of flight and expulsion. Many families here in the state therefore have their own history of flight and have had corresponding experiences. This is another reason why we are a cosmopolitan country. And this shapes the fundamental attitude towards migration.”

There are also problems in the north when it comes to immigration. However, northern Germans do not articulate this as dramatically as people in other regions.

“But we should not ignore the fact that the number of people who have come to us in recent months is also pushing us to the limits of what is affordable in terms of accommodation and integration,” said Günther. “The number of immigrants to Schleswig-Holstein is permanently too high for sensible integration.” Limiting immigration is necessary.

Fair distribution

“We need a fair distribution of people at the European level and we need the agreed procedures at the external borders,” said Günther. “In this case, a distinction must be made according to the protection rate as to whether people are distributed among the EU states or go through their procedures locally.” Günther referred to the practice in Schleswig-Holstein in the initial reception centers of not even distributing people without a secure prospect of staying from the state’s initial reception centers to the municipalities.

“In addition, the federal government must advance the examination of concrete models for asylum procedures in third countries, as we agreed at the last conference of prime ministers,” demanded Günther.

Further acceleration of procedures is also necessary in some areas. “It must be easier to return people who are required to leave the country or convicted criminals to their countries of origin as quickly as possible.”