"I can see that some foreign media are pouring scorn over [the fact] that we in the future may withdraw asylum seekers' valuables and demand that they should pay for their stay in asylum centers themselves," Integration Minister Inger Stojberg wrote on her Facebook page.
She insisted that Denmark has rules that apply to everyone, "no matter whether you have lived in Denmark throughout your life, or if you just arrived here."
"There is no reason for criticism, since if Danes have valuables that cost over 10,000 kroner ($1,450) they are required to sell them before they can apply for unemployment benefit."
Earlier in December, the Danish government presented a bill that included a number of different issues on asylum policy, including one on seizing valuable assets.
"The bill ... provides the Danish authorities with the power to search clothes and luggage of asylum seekers - and other migrants without a permit to stay in Denmark - with a view to find assets which may cover the expenses mentioned above," says the text of the proposal.
The new rule will only apply"to cash above approximately 3,000 kroner ($436) and tangible assets of a considerable value."
Comment: Right out of the Nazi Germany playbook indeed.