Overview

• Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt relaunched a proposal to create return hubs near countries of origin to host rejected asylum seekers who cannot be sent home.
• Berlin seeks EU legal authorization for such centers but expects a coalition of willing member states to build them, with locations still unspecified.
• Dobrindt said he will continue to pursue returns to Syria and Afghanistan and is prepared to hold personal talks in Damascus.
• He is moving to change the law so people in ongoing asylum procedures can work after three months, with integration and employment signaled as criteria to remain.
• He plans to present the package at a Munich meeting on Saturday with interior ministers from France and Italy and EU Home Commissioner Magnus Brunner.