In the Bavarian town of Kiefersfelden, on the border with Austria in the foothills of the Alps, new Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt stood in the rain as he discussed the government's immigration policy. Dobrindt, of the conservative Christian Social Union (CSU), had stepped up border controls a week earlier.

Germany's conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party the CSU declared war on unauthorized immigration during the federal election campaign earlier this year, and now they want to deliver. Unlike in the past, asylum-seekers will also be turned back at the border. Only "vulnerable" individuals, such as pregnant women and children, will not be refused.

For years, anyone who made it to Germany, by whatever means, and declared that they wanted to apply for asylum were allowed to enter the country while their application was processed. Now, things are different.

When asked by DW what would now change in concrete terms, Dobrindt replied: "I want to say to all those who think they can make money from people's suffering by........

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