http://dx.doi.org/10.17176/20161212-114429 https://verfassungsblog.de/illegal-entry-into-the-federal-republic-of-germany-de-lege-lata-et-de-lege-ferenda-a-critical-interjection/ Illegal Entry into the Federal Republic of Germany de lege lata et de lege ferenda – a Critical Interjection Bode, Lorenz eng 2016-12-10 electronic resource text/html ddc:342 Criminal Law refugees Residence Law Verfassungsblog Verfassungsblog--2366-7044 CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 Illegal entry into Germany has led to penal proceedings since the first influx of refugees in 2015. Police investigations are opened against anyone entering without a passport or valid entry documents. This means that refugees are liable to prosecution by entering Germany and filing a petition for asylum. The right of residence desperately needs to be reformed. De lege ferenda, it makes sense to eliminate the discriminating legal status provided under Art. 31 I GFK and “de-criminalize” affected refugees.