Netherlands begins implementation of additional border controls

The Netherlands has on Monday begun its implementation of additional border controls.

The controls are set to last six months, and will take place in border regions and "at airports in relation to specific flights where there is a risk of irregular migration or cross-border crime."

The measures were proposed by the right-wing coalition led by Geert Wilders' anti-Muslim nationalist PVV party.

The PVV's Marjolein Faber, Dutch Minister of Asylum and Migration, visited a border checkpoint at the Dutch-German border in the province of Limburg. She said that the controls aim to bring down "the illegal influx of migrants in the Netherlands."

Several municipalities have voiced concerns about the additional measures. 46 mayors of border towns fear that local residents and businesses will experience unnecessary inconvenience. However, the Dutch military police union Marver called the fears unfounded.

There are over 800 border crossings in the Netherlands. These include the major highways, but also, for example, local roads and forest trails. In theory, the Dutch military police, known as the Royal Marechaussee, will now be allowed to set up checkpoints at all of these crossings. That, however, is unlikely to take place.

Although the Marechaussee has the authority to execute more border controls, they have to do so within their existing capacity. Marver said that most people crossing the Dutch border likely will not notice a difference.

The Marechaussee have always carried out random checks at borders, and say the main difference is that starting Monday, they will be able to carry out more checks while previous limits on the amount of time they can remain at any given border point will no longer apply.

Even so, Faber claimed that the policy "is not a symbolic measure. It will definitely have an effect."