Research Institute for European and American Studies
Newsletter on Immigration to Greece
Editor: Ioannis Kolovos
Illegal immigration crisis or asylum crisis?
The editor of this newsletter differentiated between illegal immigration and asylum and pointed out that Greece's current crisis is a case of the former rather than the latter.
The article can be read in full here (in Greek only)
Parallel lives for natives and immigrants in Athens' city centre
According to the findings of a study conducted by the National Centre for Social Research the communities of natives and immigrants living in the city centre do not clash but do not mix either. They tend to self-segregate instead.
The relevant article (Kathimerini, 5/6/2015) can be read here (in Greek only)
Unemployment much higher for foreign nationals
According to the latest Labor Force Survey (1st quarter of 2015) the unemployment rate of foreign nationals was much higher compared to the Greeks (34.8% compared to 26% respectively).
The relevant press release by the National Statistics Authority can be read here (in Greek only)
State Department publicized its 2014 report on terrorism
As far as Greece is concerned the report emphasized that "The porous nature of Greece's borders remained a concern. While Greek border authorities have had success in stemming the flow of illegal migration at the land border with Turkey, their ability to control large-scale illegal migration via sea borders is limited. Recent regional upheavals have intensified illegal migration to and through Greece via the Greek Aegean islands".
The report can be read in full here (in English)
Illegal immigration is more serious a threat than the country's economy!
The Minister for Citizens' Protection Mr Yiannis Panoussis argued that illegal immigration constitutes more dangerous a ticking time-bomb for Greece than the country's financial difficulties!
A relevant news report (in.gr online, 22/6/2015) can be read here (in Greek only)
Border surveillance at Evros weakens
Due to lack of funding the police cannot retain the border guards at their current number.
The relevant article (Kathimerini, 30/6/2015) can be read here (in Greek only)
Risk of poverty much higher for foreign nationals
According to the latest Income and Household Living Conditions Survey the population at risk of poverty or social exclusion between the ages of 18-64 years old was much higher for foreign nationals compared to the Greeks (68.3% compared to 37.6% respectively).
The relevant press release by the National Statistics Authority can be read here (in Greek only)
The new Citizenship Bill was voted by the Parliament
The Bill was accepted with an increased majority.
The relevant article (Kathimerini on line, 9/7/2015) can be read here (in Greek only)
Migrants Flood Greek Island of Lesbos
A revealing New York Times' video.
The video can be viewed in full here (in English)
Better late than never!
The deputy Minister for Immigration Policy Ms Tasia Christodoulopoulou realized that, due to the increased inflow of illegal immigrants, detention centers – the ones that she wanted to close - will in fact be needed!
Ms Christodoulopoulou's interview (Proto Thema, 19/7/2015) can be read in full here (in Greek only)
Illegal immigrant inflow in 2015 could be the highest in the last 14 years!
According to Hellenic Police data for the first semester of 2015 the arrests for illegal entry and/or illegal stay reached 96,550. If this trend continues for the rest of the year then the inflow of illegal immigrants to Greece will be the highest since 2001. At the same time repatriations are decreasing with only 11,699 people having been repatriated.
The relevant Hellenic Police report can be read in full here (in Greek only)