Netherlands Implements Border Checks to Address Irregular Migration

The six-month measure targets migration and cross-border crime but faces criticism over limited resources and potential disruptions.

The Netherlands has introduced temporary border controls with Germany and Belgium, focusing on irregular migration and cross-border crime.
The measures, authorized under the Schengen Borders Code, will involve random vehicle and traveler checks at 840 border crossings.
Only 50 officers have been allocated for these checks, leading to concerns about the effectiveness of the initiative.
Local municipalities and commuters have raised concerns about potential travel disruptions and questioned the necessity of the controls.
The number of asylum seekers in the Netherlands remains steady at around 40,000 annually, with critics labeling the controls as largely symbolic.