"We'll Do It Ourselves!" Dutch Vigilantes Stop Cars At German Border In Protest Over Illegal Migration

A group of around 12 citizens, frustrated with what they see as uncontrolled illegal immigration, staged an unauthorized border control operation between the Netherlands and Germany. They stopped vehicles, inspected trunks, and even pulled over a German police van, prompting the officers to order them to leave German soil. The group, primarily consisting of residents from the municipality of Westerwolde, organized via Facebook and claimed authorities are failing to secure the border and stem the flow of asylum seekers. The action drew sharp criticism from police and government officials, who stated that citizens are forbidden to stop cars and that such actions create dangerous situations. Geert Wilders, the leader of the anti-immigration PVV party, praised the citizens' actions, calling it a "fantastic initiative" and urged the government to deploy the army to secure the border. The outgoing Justice and Migration Minister David van Weel urged the group to stop, saying that border enforcement must remain the responsibility of the authorities. The mayor of Westerwolde expressed sympathy for the frustrations but warned that taking the law into one's own hands is not the solution. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration and asylum policies in the country.