❓WHAT HAPPENED: Legislators in Greece have passed a law imposing strict penalties on migrants who remain in the country after their asylum applications are denied.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Migration Minister Thanos Plevris, Greek lawmakers, and migrants.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The law was passed on Wednesday in Greece, following a summer of increased migrant arrivals on the island of Crete.
💬KEY QUOTE: “All European countries now understand that it is not possible to have open borders, it’s not possible to welcome illegal migrants with flowers.” – Thanos Plevris
🎯IMPACT: Migrants face up to five years in prison, increased fines, and stricter monitoring.
The Greek Parliament has passed a law imposing tough penalties on migrants who remain in the country after their asylum claims are rejected. Under the new rules, rejected applicants who fail to leave within 14 days of their applications being denied face up to five years in prison and fines equivalent to over $30,000. The Greek government will also begin using electronic ankle monitors to track individuals awaiting deportation.
The legislation is part of a wider campaign by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s administration to crack down on illegal immigration. In July, Greece suspended asylum applications for three months following a sharp rise in arrivals, with more than 2,600 migrants landing on Crete in the first week alone. Mitsotakis defended the move, saying it was necessary to send a clear signal to human traffickers that “the passage to Greece is closed.”
Migration Minister Thanos Plevris strongly backed the new law, explaining, “There are those who are downtrodden, and then there are some who are spoiled, who think that Europe owes them.”
“We need to put emphasis on the voluntary returns, but there will be consequences for those who do not choose to return to their countries,” he added.
Another significant change under the new law is the elimination of a longstanding provision that allowed illegal immigrants to apply for legal status after seven years of continuous residence in Greece. Authorities say the goal is to prevent abuse of the system and reduce incentives for illegal entry.
Early signs suggest the measures are already having an impact. By late August, migrant arrivals on Crete had dropped to around 500, down from over 2,600 in early July. Crete has become a key smuggler route as other European Union (EU) governments implement stricter border controls.
“All European countries now understand that it is not possible to have open borders, it’s not possible to welcome illegal migrants with flowers,” Plevris said. “There should be a clear message that countries have borders, (that) Europe has exceeded its capabilities and will not accept any more illegal migrants.”
Greece previously warned that ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, particularly in Gaza, could lead to a new surge in migration toward Europe.
Image by Georgios Giannopoulos (Ggia).
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