German Chancellor Angela Merkel regrets President Donald Trump’s four-month travel ban. “She is convinced that even the necessary, resolute fight against terrorism doesn’t justify putting people of a particular origin or particular faith under general suspicion,” Merkel spokesman Steffen Seibert said
Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017 | 1:10 a.m.
BERLIN — Chancellor Angela Merkel hopes for progress on deporting more rejected asylum-seekers as she meets with governors of Germany's 16 states Thursday.
Merkel, who faces an election in September, has called repeatedly for a "national effort" to make sure that people who have no right to stay leave the country.
Deportations are a matter for state governments. But Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere has made clear the federal government wants more influence.
He called Thursday for "exit centers" near airports where people could be taken ahead of deportations "so that things are more orderly and many don't simply evade deportation at the last minute."
De Maiziere told ARD television he wants a national center to coordinate returns.
Join the Discussion:
Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.
Full comments policy