The majority of Germans support the introduction of stricter rules at the country's borders, DPA reported, citing a poll by the "YuGov" institute ("YouGov"), reported DPA.
Seventy-one percent of those surveyed are in favor of a direct refusal at the border to enter the country for foreigners in need of a visa who have not applied for asylum, as well as for persons with a ban on entering the country.
The survey found that 45% of those polled strongly supported border controls and possible closures as ways to control migration, and 28% of those polled expressed their agreement in principle. 20% disagree with these measures.
Eighty-two percent of those who took part in the survey supported the introduction of more deportations of people without the right to legal residence in Germany. At the same time, 11% are against increasing deportations, and 7% have not expressed a definite opinion.
Support for increasing deportations of non-residents is significantly higher among people over the age of 60, with 95% supporting the idea. In the age group from 18 to 39 years, 68% are "in favor", the poll shows.
The sociological survey was conducted between September 6 and 10 and involved 2,126 adult German citizens. The poll has a margin of error of 2.13 percentage points.
German Interior Minister Nancy Feser ordered on Monday the introduction of temporary border controls at all land borders to limit the number of illegal entries. Additional inspections are expected to begin on Monday and will initially be for a period of six months.
Border controls were introduced at the borders in Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland in October last year, and this period has been repeatedly extended and will currently last until December 15.
Similar measures have also been in place at the land border between Germany and Austria since September 2015. The new border control applies to the land borders with France, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.