Immigration and Islamist threat measures are in place in Germany, with controls at all land borders.

Specifically, from today, the travel documents of those traveling to Germany by car, bus, or train from five neighboring “Schengen countries” will be checked: France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Denmark. 

Similar controls are already in place at the borders with Poland, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Austria, thanks to which, according to the interior ministry of SPD leader Nancy Feser, 30,000 people who had no right to enter the country have already been turned away.

According to a report by the public network WDR, based on information from the Federal Police, the checks will be carried out on a sample basis, temporarily and at random points that will change. 

Every person attempting to cross the border will be able to be checked. That is why those moving across borders should be able to show the necessary travel documents at any time. 

Also, vehicle control is not excluded.

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This decision by Germany, a country located in the heart of Europe and sharing a common border with nine countries, has already caused reactions within Europe and fears that other countries will follow this example.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the imposition of border controls as unacceptable and said that his government would proceed with urgent consultations with the countries adversely affected.

The Austrian government has made it clear that it will not accept immigrants who are not accepted in Germany. 

At the same time, the powerful police union sends an SOS and declares that it has shortages in personnel as well as financial resources and that it will be pressed to carry out lengthy border controls.

However, the Minister of the Interior has assured that there will be no queues and waiting, she assures, responding to the concern of workers who move between Germany and neighboring countries, some even daily, but also of transport companies who may be faced with additional checks and delays. 

Howbeit, border towns, such as on the border with the Netherlands, Belgium, or France, are worried about possible problems in the daily lives of citizens since their cross-border movements for shopping, refueling, or medical appointments are part of the common coexistence at the border.

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