THE HAGUE — On Monday, the Dutch government announced plans to implement additional checks at its land borders as a strategy to address irregular migration, mirroring actions taken by Germany last September. This decision represents the latest effort by the Netherlands’ far-right administration to regulate immigration amidst a growing wave of anti-immigrant sentiments throughout Europe.
Dutch Migration Minister Marjolein Faber disclosed the new policy in a press release following Cabinet approval. “It is time to tackle irregular migration and migrant smuggling in a concrete way. That is why we will start reintroducing border controls in the Netherlands from the beginning of December,” she stated.
The new measures will come into effect on December 9. As per European Union regulations, member nations are required to notify Brussels four weeks in advance before imposing restrictions on free movement.
Earlier this year, Faber expressed the Netherlands’ desire to opt out of EU obligations regarding refugees during discussions with Brussels. Geert Wilders, leader of the anti-immigration Party for Freedom (PVV), which secured the largest number of seats in last year’s elections, celebrated this announcement on social media, claiming that his party is fulfilling its promises. Wilders has advocated for closing the Dutch borders for over a decade.
Though representing Wilders’ party in Cabinet, Faber did not provide details on the execution of these border controls. Notably, the new restrictions will not be accompanied by additional funding for the national police force designated to implement these checks. The restrictions are to be managed “within the existing capacity,” as stated in the announcement.
The Netherlands shares hundreds of land border checkpoints with both Germany and Belgium. Currently, the police conduct random inspections. “The border controls must be carried out with minimal disruption to traffic,” Faber emphasized.
Germany began similar border checks last month, which pertain to its borders with France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Denmark, in response to several prominent extremist attacks.
Both Germany and the Netherlands are part of the Schengen area— a travel zone that allows free movement across most EU countries, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. The EU permits member states to temporarily reintroduce border controls at internal borders in cases of serious threats to internal security. Nevertheless, it also stipulates that such measures should be a last resort, applied only in exceptional circumstances, and limited in duration.