In a television interview on the morning of Thursday July, 10, Greece’s Minister for Migration and Asylum, Thanos Plevris outlined the government’s tough new stance on the country’s immigration policy. The minister vowed to halt new migrant arrivals and announced strict measures to tighten asylum controls.
The new measures include a three-month asylum suspension, 12- to 18-month migrant detention, cuts to welfare and meals, and a five-year prison sentence without parole—offering voluntary return as the only alternative.
Plevris emphasized that Greece cannot continue to endure the arrival of boats carrying up to 1,000 migrants daily, noting the government’s intention to act decisively.
The first step involves suspending the submission of asylum requests for three months, with the duration subject to regular review to align with international obligations. He explained that many migrants attempt to claim asylum immediately upon arrival, often after being rescued at sea, which activates their right to international protection under Greek and EU law.
By halting the acceptance of asylum applications temporarily, the government aims to remove migrants from the protection system, enabling authorities to detain them administratively.
The minister noted that Greece has agreements with certain countries to which migrants can be returned, while others may voluntarily go back. He also highlighted that many arrivals via the Libyan route are Egyptian nationals who do not qualify for asylum.
Plevris said cooperation with Turkey has effectively reduced crossings at Greece’s northeastern land border and the eastern Aegean islands. However, the main challenge remains the Libyan maritime route, which accounts for most migrant arrivals.
The government is working to prevent boats from departing North Africa in the first place, signaling plans to escalate involvement if diplomatic appeals fail. The minister conveyed a firm message to both the Greek public and European partners, stating that Greece will not accept what he described as an invasion by continuous migrant boats from North Africa.
On the domestic front, the government plans to drastically cut welfare benefits for migrants and revise the quality of food provided in reception centers, moving away from what Plevris described as “hotel-like” conditions.
The new law, set for public consultation this week, introduces five-year prison terms without suspension or compensation, with cooperation for return being the only way out.
