Germany's Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has said there have been initial successes in limiting irregular migration to Germany.
"Asylum applications are currently a fifth lower than in the same period last year. Our border checks have detained 708 smugglers since October and prevented 17,600 unauthorized entries," the Social Democrat politician told the Funke media group.
Faeser referred to resolutions passed by the government, which are supported by Chancellor Olaf Scholz's three-party coalition.
"We have legislated for faster asylum procedures," she said. "Our comprehensive legislative package for more and quicker deportations is in force. And now, with the payment card instead of cash, we have clearly shown that we are helping refugees fleeing war and terror, but at the same time preventing cash from going to people smugglers."
On Friday, Germany's parliament, the Bundestag, voted to provide asylum seekers and migrants in Germany with social benefits via a payment card instead of cash in the future.
Lawmakers who backed the change argued it would prevent migrants from using benefits to pay smugglers, or transfer money back to family in their home countries. Some contended that migrants have been drawn to Germany because of the social benefits.
Faeser also praised the adoption of the EU asylum reform, which has been controversial for years. This demonstrates Europe's ability to act, according to the minister.
"On Monday, I will visit the EU's external border between Bulgaria and Turkey to see how the massively increased protection of external borders and asylum procedures that comply with human rights are now being implemented as quickly as possible," Faeser said.
