Plans to enforce stricter border checks at the Zwartemeer crossing on the A37, which connects Drenthe and Germany, were unexpectedly canceled last Friday, just 20 minutes before their scheduled start. The Koninklijke Marechaussee confirmed the decision was made due to legal and practical uncertainties, according to RTV Drenthe. Future checks at Zwartemeer remain on hold.
The enhanced controls, initiated last week by Dutch Minister of Asylum and Migration Marjolein Faber, aim to curb illegal migration, crime, and human trafficking. However, early results have been disappointing. Only two individuals were turned away at the De Lutte crossing in Overijssel, with a nationwide total of 10 rejections so far, RTV Oost reported.
The effort involves deploying 50 additional officers to monitor more than 840 border crossings and international travel points. Critics, including Marechaussee staff, argue that the initiative strains resources, leaving other tasks neglected. Union representatives have expressed concerns about the increased workload amid limited capacity.
While last week’s Zwartemeer operation was shelved, controls have begun at Bad Nieuweschans (A7) in Groningen, where officers are conducting random vehicle inspections. These checks resemble regular Mobile Security Monitoring patrols, though now bolstered by updated legislation allowing more frequent operations.
A spokesperson for the Marechaussee declined to comment on the criticisms but assured that the controls are feasible under current frameworks. Whether the A37 checks will resume this month remains uncertain.
