Greece: Migrant Flows Drop 70%, Unaccompanied Minor Shelters to Close
Greek Migration Minister Thanos Plevris says migrant arrivals in the Eastern Aegean have dropped roughly 70% compared to 2025, crediting cooperation with the Turkish coast guard and increased surveillance measures. Speaking on ERT News, Plevris defended the government's hard line on migration, saying "there is no logic that Greece opens its borders and accepts everyone."
Plevris confirmed that several shelters for unaccompanied minors will close, pointing to a sharp drop in numbers. Unaccompanied minors in Greece have fallen from around 3,000 to approximately 1,500, making a portion of the existing facilities redundant. He also said facilities concentrated in central Athens will be relocated, arguing the city center "cannot be pressured in this way."
On the question of pushbacks, Plevris pushed back firmly against NGO criticism. "We don't do pushbacks, we do border protection," he said, adding that intercepting boats before they reach Greek waters is "fully within the bounds of legality." He said the government will not apologize for enforcing the law and that anyone denied asylum will be returned.
The minister announced a major shift in asylum processing. Previously, applicants remained free even after their asylum request was rejected. Now, anyone deemed unlikely to qualify for asylum will be placed in detention immediately, so that once rejected, deportation can proceed without delay.
Plevris also flagged Libya as the next pressure point, estimating around 550,000 migrants and refugees are currently there attempting to reach Europe. Greece is working with Frontex and Libyan authorities to track vessels and limit departures from the Libyan coast.
He described Greece as the first EU country to criminalize illegal residency outright, saying those without a right to stay can now be held in detention until they are returned to their country of origin.
