The Netherlands is starting a round of border checks this week to combat “irregular migration” and “cross-border crime,” according to Asylum Minister Marjolein Faber; they are to continue for six months.
However, the union representing the border workers has pointed out that since there are normally no border checks between Schengen neighbors, the agency really doesn’t have the staff to do more than spot-checking, using mobile units as it has in the past. Manning all crossings 24/7 would require thousands of staff, while only 50 extra are available.
While the minister says she wants to send a “strong signal” to discourage illegal migration, border agency spokespersons told Dutch press that “From December 9, we will temporarily be checking more often and checking more people. How often and how extensively we check depends on the situation.”
