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In 1953, the West German government set up a refugee centre in Marienfelde in West Berlin to help manage the number of people entering. At this refugee centre and other similar centres, refugees had to go through an official procedure. Successful refugees could obtain residency permits and be integrated into West German society.10
The western powers chose to suspend compulsory inter-zone passes in November 1953 and stopped issuing temporary permits of residence. Therefore, there were no longer restrictions on travel in the West. In contrast, a law passed by the GDR in 1954 made fleeing the GDR illegal.11
Fleeing the GDR was now punishable with up to three years imprisonment. The laws were tightened further in 1957 when preparations to flee and attempted escapes were also made punishable.12 Restrictions by the GDR officials on approved travel to the West also followed. Permission to travel to the West depended on one’s age and job. Students, for example, were not permitted to travel to West Germany or any western countries.