Brandenburg, which borders Poland, wants to quickly and efficiently deport asylum seekers who arrive there from other EU countries. To this end, it is establishing a new deportation center in the border town of Eisenhuettenstadt. What does Poland's minister for European affairs have to say about it?

Brandenburg, which borders Poland, wants to quickly and efficiently deport asylum seekers who arrive there from other EU countries. To this end, it is establishing a new deportation center in the border town of Eisenhuettenstadt.

Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and her Brandenburg counterpart Katrin Lange (both SPD) signed an agreement last week on the so-called Dublin Center, which will be set up on the grounds of the central reception facility in Eisenhuettenstadt.

The center should provide space for 150 to 250 people in two buildings, with all refugees housed in one central location. Due to the proximity of the Polish border, they can be quickly returned there,

Interior Minister Lange told the B.Z-Berlin portal.

Minister for European Affairs Adam Szlapka was asked about the matter on Polsat News. He assured viewers that he was "absolutely certain" that Germany "will not be sending us any migrants."

The journalist responded: So what is the Eisenhuettenstadt facility for?

Facilities of this type are being established, but this one is being built in Germany and it will receive migrants from Germany who will remain in Germany. (...) There really is no concern that we will face any forced relocation in Poland. This is clear, and the head of the European Commission has confirmed it as well. Let us also bear in mind that Germany has elections in five or six days, which also affects the dynamics of the discussion there,

the Civic Coalition politician responded.

How does this square with the position of Germany's central government and the state of Brandenburg, which wants to quickly and efficiently deport asylum seekers who arrive there from other EU countries?

Under the "Dublin III Regulation," EU countries agreed that asylum procedures take place in the country where the migrant first enters Europe. If the person is found on the territory of another country, that country has the right to send them back to the country where they crossed the EU border. However, Italy, Spain, and Greece typically allow arrivals to travel unhindered and then refuse to take them back.

Italy accepted only four out of several thousand refugees in 2024. Poland is completely different: our neighboring country accepts every apprehended "Dublin" refugee. However, most of those deported quickly return to Germany — often with the help of smugglers,

an administrative judge cited by the B.Z-Berlin portal said in praise of the Poles.