German Court Blocks Border Rejections, Visa Appeals End

A Berlin court has ruled that Germany's policy of turning back asylum seekers at its borders is unlawful unless the EU's Dublin procedure is followed, challenging Chancellor Friedrich Merz's migration control measures. The ruling came after three Somali refugees were denied entry at the Polish border without proper assessment of their asylum claims. The court emphasized that both national and EU law require a full investigation of asylum requests before rejection. This decision complicates Merz's efforts to strengthen border enforcement. Separately, Germany will end the option to appeal Schengen visa denials through the remonstration process as of July 1, 2025, requiring rejected applicants to file new visa applications. The change aims to streamline administrative procedures but may make the process more difficult for travelers.