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Germany is turning away hundreds of migrants on the border with Austria as the government tries to cut the number of asylum seekers.

There would appear to be a return to the strict implementation of the EU’s controversial Dublin rules for asylum seekers, which chancellor Angela Merkel unilaterally suspended last year with her “open-door” refugee policy.

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The government Tuesday also agreed to deport asylum seekers who have broken the law in the wake of the New Year’s Eve sex attacks in Cologne.

Some 200 migrants a day are being refused entry into Germany, up from 60 in December, according to the Austrian authorities. Most of those refused entry are trying to cross Germany to claim asylum in Sweden or Denmark, a police spokesman said.

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“Even if the conditions for asylum are met, we will send back those refugees who do not wish to apply for asylum in Germany,” the spokesman said.

Under the Dublin rules, refugees must claim asylum in the first EU state they enter.