With a general election scheduled for September, she is said to be desperate to boost her chances of securing a fourth term in office.
According to official figures, Germany rejected more than 170,000 asylum applications in 2016 but repatriated only 26,000 people.
Under a 16-point plan drawn up by Merkel and her advisors, police would be allowed to detain people deemed to be a threat, with “federal departure centres” built near airports to house rejected applicants. There will also be an increase in financial incentives to boost voluntary departures.