Research Institute for European and American Studies
Newsletter on Immigration to Greece
Editor: Ioannis Kolovos
Frontex publicized their Annual Risk Analysis for 2015
The analysis noted that "Compared to the previous year, the sharp increase in the Aegean Sea in 2014 meant that migrants departed from more areas, and also arrived on a larger number of islands... Many migrants claimed to be Syrian, and were thus handed an administrative notice allowing them to stay in Greece for up to six months, even without applying for asylum. Screening processes of some migrants revealed a high degree of falsely claimed nationalities to avoid return" (p. 20).
The analysis can be read in full here (in English)
Making the same mistake again and again and again!
The deputy Minister for Immigration Policy Ms Tasia Christodoulopoulou announced that the government is planning to legalize illegal immigrants who have been in the country for 10 years.
The relevant article (Epohi, 10/5/2015) can be read here (in Greek only)
Foreigners constitute the absolute majority of inmates in Greek prisons
According to relevant data 57.6% of all inmates in Greek prisons are foreigners (6,590 out of a total of 11,447 inmates). This is another indication of the link between illegal immigration and serious crime.
The relevant article (Kathimerini, 10/5/2015) can be read here (in Greek only)
The 2014 asylum applications' data for Greece
According to relevant Eurostat data 20,970 asylum applications were decided in Greece in 2014 and the recognition rate was at 18.4% (3,850 positive decisions). The majority of positive decisions involved Afghans (830 decisions), Syrians (710 decisions) and Pakistanis (355 decisions).
The relevant Eurostat news release can be found here (in English)
They all agree: illegal immigration poses a national security threat!
The deputy Minister for Citizens' Protection Mr Yiannis Panoussis and former Heads of this Ministry Messrs Dendias and Chryssochoides agree that illegal immigration poses a national security threat for Greece.
A relevant news report (Kathimerini online, 14/5/2015) can be read here (in Greek only)
The new Citizenship Bill has publicized
The new Citizenship Bill was placed under public deliberation until May 25th. Then the Bill will be finalized and brought into Parliament for discussion.
A relevant article (Kathimerini, 17/5/2015) can be read here (in Greek only)
Present and serious dangers!
The largest selling morning daily newspaper "Kathimerini" pointed out in an editorial that Islamic terrorism and the uncontrolled inflow of illegal immigrants constitute present and serious dangers for the country.
The editorial (Kathimerini, 24/5/2015) can be read in full here (in Greek only)
Another cost of Illegal immigration
The total cost of medical care in Greek hospitals for illegal immigrants from non-EU countries during 2014 is estimated to have exceeded 8 million euros, compared to approximately 5.5 million in 2013.
The relevant article (Kathimerini, 24/5/2015) can be read here (in Greek only)
The European Commission proposed refugee relocation to assist Italy and Greece
The European Commission proposed to use the emergency response mechanism under Article 78(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. This provision, which will be activated for the first time, will be used to set up an emergency relocation scheme to assist Italy and Greece. This scheme will apply to Syrian and Eritrean nationals in need of international protection that arrived in either Italy or Greece after 15 April 2015 or that arrive after the mechanism is launched. A total of 40,000 persons should be relocated from Italy and Greece to other EU Member States based on a distribution key over the next 2 years – corresponding to approximately 40% of the total number of asylum seekers in clear need of international protection who entered these countries in 2014.
The relevant European Commission press release can be read in full here (in English)
How many more can Kos take?
A "Daily Mail" account of the situation in the Aegean island of Kos after the inflow of illegal immigrants from Syria and Afghanistan.