German minister emphasizes the importance of asylum seeker reception centers
COPENHAGEN (ANP) – France is also in favor of return centers, said Minister Bruno Retailleau (Interior) upon arrival. “I support anything that makes the deportation of rejected asylum seekers more efficient.”
According to the German minister, there are possibilities to make agreements with countries outside the EU for the establishment of these return hubs, as the deportation centers are also called. Dobrindt believes that conditions must be created within the EU for this, but is positive about countries that are already experimenting with it or want to do so.
He does not rule out that Germany will join initiatives from EU member states. “Germany is once again part of the team of European countries that want to combat illegal migration,” said Dobrindt.
The French minister calls new rules for return “fundamentally important. The current rules are intended to give illegal immigrants the chance to leave voluntarily, but they take that opportunity to flee.”
Return operations must be more efficient, Retailleau emphasized. “As far as forced deportations are concerned, we are completely powerless.”
The Netherlands is also in favor of deportation centers.
Currently, one in five rejected asylum seekers returns to their country of origin.
EU Commissioner Magnus Brunner (Migration) wants return decisions for asylum seekers in one EU country to apply to all other EU member states. Currently, most member states are required to make a new return decision. Rejected asylum seekers must cooperate in returning to their country of origin, as stated further in his proposal. Previously rejected asylum seekers are banned from coming to the EU again. Asylum seekers who have committed a serious crime will be forcibly returned.
(July 22, 2025)
