Migrant Deportations Rise Sharply in Germany

Germany deported 60 percent more migrants last year than in 2014, the government said Wednesday, with figures from January and February showing that the pace of repatriations further accelerating.

Some 22,369 people were forcibly returned to their countries of origin in 2015, up from 13,851 the previous year.

In the first two months of this year close to 4,500 people were repatriated -- twice as many as in January and February 2015.

Germany, which last year let in a record 1.1 million migrants and refugees, has been ramping up efforts to deport those who have failed to win asylum.

Meanwhile, the number of asylum seekers who have voluntarily left Germany also rose sharply, from 13,573 in 2014 to 37,200 in 2015.

From January to March this year, voluntary repatriations reached 14,095.