A provision includes scrapping the rule that allowed undocumented migrants to apply for legal residence.

On Thursday, Greek Migration and Asylum Minister Makis Voridis announced that his country will introduce tougher legislation to curb irregular migration, including stricter penalties for rejected asylum seekers and expedited deportation procedures.

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Unveiling the proposed measures during a cabinet meeting, Voridis said the draft bill will be submitted to the parliament for a vote in June. A key provision includes scrapping the rule that allowed undocumented migrants to apply for legal residence after seven years of continuous stay in Greece.

The new legislation seeks to accelerate the return of irregular migrants to their countries of origin, aiming to shorten the repatriation process, which currently takes an average of 18 months.

In 2023, although Greek authorities arrested almost 74,000 undocumented migrants, only about 2,500 were successfully deported.

Under the proposed bill, individuals found entering Greece illegally would face a minimum prison sentence of two years — up from the current three months. In more serious cases, the penalty would increase from six months to at least three years.

The reforms are also designed to align with the European Union’s (EU) upcoming migration framework, set to take effect in 2026. The draft introduces stricter entry criteria, including mandatory denial of entry for those considered a threat to public order, national security, or public health.

Since 2015, Greece has been a major gateway into the EU for migrants and refugees, with over one million arrivals recorded. While the number of arrivals has declined in recent years, tens of thousands continue to risk the perilous journey each year in hopes of reaching other European destinations.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: Xinhua

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