Germany Deports Nearly 17,000 Asylum Seekers in Nine Months, Many from Morocco

56% of them were repatriated on regular flights, while 32% were transferred on aircraft chartered by the German authorities.

According to local media, the rest of the migrants were turned back by sea and land routes. The close protection also cost the federal government 6 million euros.

For a deputy of the German left, the number of people turned away in 2019 would be slightly lower than in 2018.

She added that the government should consider granting asylum and residence rights to rejected asylum seekers, instead of imposing repatriation operations. For her, the funds dedicated to close protection could be allocated to integration sessions.