It's over! – Austria declares victory in the border tightening campaign
Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner announced a decisive victory in tightening border controls, asserting that the days of mass illegal crossings into Austria are "over." In a conference held with Federal Police Director Michael Takacs at the Nickelsdorf border point, Karner credited this achievement to Operation Fox, which began in December 2022 with the aim of reducing asylum abuse and combating human smuggling networks across the border.
Karner recalled the beginnings of the operation, describing "dramatic scenes" of large crowds, mostly young people, who were stopped, had their identities checked, and submitted asylum applications. Many smuggler vehicles were also confiscated, which formed part of the daily scene in border communities. Karner said: "That is over now. The police have turned the scales and succeeded."
The results were striking; last week, only 74 arrests were recorded for illegal crossing throughout Burgenland, compared to 2,567 arrests in the same week last year. Nationally, the number of migrant reception centers has been reduced from 34 to just 8. In Nickelsdorf, four tents designated for housing migrants will be dismantled in the coming weeks.
A strong blow was also dealt to smuggling operations, as arrests of human traffickers dropped from 166 two years ago to just 12 this year. Karner emphasized the importance of dismantling these networks, accusing them of running a 'bloody trade on the backs of people.'
While the government considers these results a major success, Karner pointed out that efforts will continue, with plans to take stricter measures to secure Austria's borders and ensure the long-term elimination of smuggling gangs.