Crackdown on ‘illegal migrants’ working, says Interior minister

Austria’s tightened asylum rules including more border checks and deportations is clearly having an effect, according to Interior Minister Gerhard Karner.

“The smugglers are now giving Austria a wide berth,’’ the conservative politician told German newspaper Die Welt in remarks published online early on Thursday.

In the first quarter of 2023, 4,450 illegal migrants were apprehended at the country’s border with Hungary, he said, compared to just 190 people in the same period this year.

“Back then, it was mainly men travelling alone who came, that has stopped,’’ said Karner, of the conservative ÖVP, the Austrian People’s Party.

The minister said one reason is that there are many more checks at border crossings and in border areas,.

At the same time, asylum procedures have been sped up.

“We are also cracking down on the repatriation of illegal and criminal migrants.

“All of this sends a signal to the smuggling mafia: Austria is not a good place for us.’’

Karner pleaded for Afghans who have committed criminal offences to be sent back if possible.

“In the case of Syria, I would go even further: The Latakia region, for example, is considered quite safe. Why shouldn’t we send Syrians back there in future? There must be no false taboos,’’ Karner said.

The minister praised Denmark, which has an agreement with Kosovo’s government, allowing for detention centres to be operated in the country in order to deport convicted criminals from third countries.

“The ÖVP wants to promote such an agreement for Austria based on the Danish model,’’ Karner told the newspaper.