Benjamin Bathke

The leaders of Germany's 16 states have agreed to limit cash payments to asylum seekers to 50 euros per month, although three states say the amoung was problematic. The premiers also called on the German government to develop concrete models for outsourcing asylum procedures to non-EU countries.

The reformed citizenship law with a dual passport for all is taking effect in Germany this week. As a result, more people will be eligible to become German citizens. InfoMigrants answers the most important questions about the law.

The Polish government is considering shutting down the last two open border crossings with Belarus. Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski attributes the potential move to the ongoing high number of migrant arrivals from Belarus.

The voluntary return of thousands of rejected asylum seekers in Germany to their home countries has become a bottleneck, a new media report shows. In theory, returnees can apply for support from federal and state governments including free flights and a small startup grant.

In 2022, Abdul Alim left Bangladesh for Germany in the hope to better treat his diabetes. After his asylum application was rejected, he returned to his home country, where he received reintegration support from NGO BRAC.

The presence of NGO-run migrant rescue ships in the Mediterranean does not encourage migrants to attempt the dangerous sea crossing to Europe, the director of EU border guard agency Frontex has said. Research into the often alleged link supports his statement.

Finland has introduced a number of policies that restrict the rights of asylum seekers over the past year, including closing its border crossings with Russia and cutting social benefits. What has been the impact of these measures?

The rollout of the payment card for asylum seekers, designed to streamline the distribution of benefits, is reportedly imminent in some German states, with a nationwide launch expected soon after. Some states, such as Bavaria, already introduced a payment card months ago.

The far-right Dutch government has decided to launch previously announced border checks in early December. Since it came to power in July, the governing coalition has agreed on a number of tough measures against asylum seekers.

Ever since Latvian authorized its border guards to use "physical force" to return irregular migrants to Belarus in 2021, there have been reports about human rights violations against migrants. We spoke to an Afghan migrant who made strong allegations.