Germany Records 50% Drop in Asylum Applications Amid Stricter Border Controls

Germany has seen a significant decline in first-time asylum applications, with numbers halving in the first seven months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. This reduction, from around 141,000 to about 70,000 applications, is attributed to the conservative government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz implementing stricter border controls and policies that expedite deportations and reject asylum seekers without valid documentation at EU external borders. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt emphasized the government's focus on faster processing of asylum claims at the borders and a tough stance against smuggling gangs, aiming to control migration more effectively. These measures, including border checks with neighboring countries and the return of over 9,500 people since their introduction, have sparked criticism for potentially undermining EU rules and the Schengen zone's free movement. The government is also pushing for EU-wide reforms to tighten deportation rules by reducing appeal options for failed asylum seekers. Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder has proposed reducing social benefits for Ukrainian refugees, reflecting broader efforts to reform social assistance amid ongoing migration challenges.