"Athens to implement stricter immigration regulations"
In a significant move, the conservative government of Greece has proposed a new law aimed at cracking down on irregular migration in the country. The bill, expected to be presented to the Greek parliament soon, includes provisions for prison sentences for illegal migrants who refuse to leave voluntarily.
Currently, illegal migrants without residency rights in Greece do not face jail time. However, under the proposed law, those who refuse to depart voluntarily could face a minimum of three years in prison. Notably, the bill proposes that prison sentences cannot be suspended or converted.
One key aspect of the new legislation is the suspension of asylum claims for migrants arriving by boat from North Africa. This measure, initially lasting for three months, was implemented on July 11 to address a surge in arrivals from Libya. The suspension is intended to serve as a deterrent and is limited to migrants arriving by sea from North Africa.
The new law also allows authorities to detain asylum seekers in camps for up to 18 months. Furthermore, the government has abolished the possibility for illegal immigrants to apply for residency, even after seven years in the country.
The Ministry of Migration stated that the law is a significant step towards restoring balance between human rights, law and order, social cohesion, and national security. In their statement, they claimed that in the future, individuals will only have two options: imprisonment or return.
It is important to note that the suspension of asylum applications has already had an impact. On Crete, for example, the suspension followed thousands of people arriving on the island. However, no further information about the impact of the suspension on the overall asylum process in Greece was provided in the article.
In some cases, illegal migrants may be granted day passes. If individuals agree to leave voluntarily, the prison sentence could be waived. The bill, if passed, will mark a significant shift in Greece's immigration policies.
This article provides an overview of the proposed changes and does not cover all aspects of Greece's immigration policies. Further updates and information may be necessary as the situation develops.
- The proposed law in Greece, aiming to curb irregular migration, suspends asylum claims for migrants arriving by boat from North Africa for an initial period of three months, serving as a deterrent.
- The new legislation also envisions prison sentences for illegal migrants who refuse to depart voluntarily from Greece, with a minimum of three years if the sentence cannot be suspended or converted.
- The Ministry of Migration in Greece asserted that the new law is a crucial step towards ensuring a balance between human rights, law and order, social cohesion, and national security, giving individuals two options: imprisonment or return.
