Dear @JusofJohn,
According to the German asylum law, applicants for asylum are obliged to submit their passport to the authorities. This is covered in paragraph 15, section 2 (4) of the Asylum Law (Asylgesetz):
https://***.gesetze-im-internet.de/asylvfg_1992/__15.html
Here in online translation:
https://***-gesetze--im--internet-de.translate.goog/asylvfg_1992/__15.html?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp
If you seek additional advice, I recommend you seek a special consulation for those in the asylum process. This service is called 'Asylverfahrenberatung'
Best,
Éanna