Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced the suspension following a 350% increase in migrant arrivals on Crete, signaling a crackdown on human trafficking and migration routes.
Greece Halts Asylum Processing Amid Surge in Migrant Arrivals
Greece Halts Asylum Processing Amid Surge in Migrant Arrivals
In response to a significant increase in migrant numbers, Greece has suspended asylum applications from North Africa for three months.
Greece has announced a three-month suspension of asylum applications from migrants arriving from North Africa due to a dramatic spike in arrivals. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized that, starting immediately, any migrants attempting to reach Greece by boat will face arrest and detention. This decision comes as over 9,000 migrants have reached Greece since the beginning of 2025, culminating in a staggering 350% increase compared to the same period last year.
Mitsotakis highlighted that this move serves to send a "clear message of determination" to human traffickers and their clientele, suggesting that their financial investments in risky sea crossings may lead nowhere. The government aims to discourage further attempts at reaching Greece, mimicking the legal rationale employed in 2020 to successfully halt a surge in land crossings from Turkey.
Migration Minister Thanos Plevris reinforced this message on social media, stating, "Clear message: stay where you are, we do not accept you." With the pace of migrant arrivals overwhelming local authorities, many have been housed in overcrowded facilities that strain resources, such as a market hall already overwhelmed with families and children.
On Tuesday, discussions between Greek, Italian, and Maltese officials and Libyan leaders aimed to curb the departures of migrants were cut short after Libyan authorities barred entry, citing violations of sovereignty. Moreover, NGOs have criticized European nations' ongoing collaborations with Libyan authorities due to the severe human rights violations faced by repatriated migrants in detention camps.
As the continent grapples with rising migration crises, the situation in Greece exemplifies the urgent need for humane and sustainable policies concerning migrants and refugees inflow.
