Former US President Barack Obama sparked an online frenzy after suggesting that aliens are “real”…
Tag: immigration
The Greek Parliament is debating a new immigration bill that the government says will overhaul…
The United States will suspend the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries…
Greek authorities have recovered the body of one of four migrants reported missing at sea…
Eight immigration judges based in New York were removed from their posts on Monday by…
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday condemned what he called a “terrorist act” after two…
The Greek government has announced a major overhaul of its Golden Visa program, aiming to…
Tensions have subsided at the closed migrant accommodation center in Kleidi, within the municipality of…
Greek Migration Minister Thanos Plevris told ERT News that migration cannot solve Greece’s demographic crisis, reaffirming the government’s strict stance on irregular migration and unveiling a new circular warning asylum seekers of penalties for illegal entry and residence.
British–Greek Cypriot singer Yusuf/Cat Stevens has cancelled his North American book tour after his US visa was denied. Born Steven Demetre Georgiou to a Greek Cypriot father and Swedish mother, the legendary musician expressed disappointment over the cancellation as visa approval remains uncertain.
U.S. President Donald Trump cited Greece in his UN General Assembly speech, warning European leaders about uncontrolled immigration and the rising percentage of foreigners in European prisons.
The Greek government is implementing strict measures to reduce migrant benefits and revise hospitality services, as announced by Minister Thanos Plevris. Financial assistance under the ESTIA program varies by family size, with full and partial aid provided. The European Commission views these measures as a response to an exceptional situation, while the government aims to deter illegal entry.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is set to announce tougher immigration measures in Parliament today, signaling a sharp shift in policy amid rising migrant arrivals from Libya. The new approach includes a “return or prison” ultimatum for those denied asylum, with the government pledging strict enforcement and no tolerance for irregular migration, especially during the peak tourist season.
Greece has begun rejecting asylum applications from certain Syrian nationals, marking a significant shift in policy following the fall of the Assad regime. Targeting primarily single, non-vulnerable Sunni men with ties to Damascus, the move positions Greece as the second EU country, after Cyprus, to reassess protections for Syrians amid changing conditions in their home country.
At the Migration and Asylum Ministry handover in Athens, Thanos Plevris, succeeding Makis Voridis, announced a hardline stance, stating unsuccessful asylum seekers must “return to their country or face jail.” Plevris emphasized strict enforcement and legal migration pathways tailored to Greece’s needs, continuing the conservative policy set in 2019.
Greece’s new immigration law criminalizes undocumented stays, imposing up to three years in prison and 10,000-euro fines for migrants without papers. The legislation, presented by Minister Makis Voridis, targets rejected asylum seekers, extends detention to two years, and introduces stricter penalties for re-entry after deportation.
Starting April 2, 2025, European visitors to the UK must secure an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) permit for £10 (12 euros) before travel, rising to £16 after April 9. This security measure, applicable to 30 European countries excluding Ireland, streamlines entry via an online process on gov.uk, aligning the UK with global border trends.
Greece recorded the highest rates of first-time asylum applications in Europe at 79.5% according to…
Over 9,000 Golden Visa applications flooded Greece in 2024. Explore the booming demand and processing backlog implications.
Over 1.5 million immigrants in the U.S. have been issued final deportation orders, including 211 Greek nationals. Listed by ICE as foreign nationals with final removal orders, these individuals are not currently in detention. Unlike recent high-profile deportations, Greek nationals are not expected to face forced repatriation under extreme conditions. The move aligns with former U.S. President Donald Trump’s strict immigration policies, which prioritized mass deportations from his first day in office.
A Syrian man has been detained in Cyprus without conviction on terrorism-related charges, marking a first under newly invoked legal measures. The Interior Minister has utilized special powers to hold him pending investigation due to his extensive criminal history, which includes arson, drug trafficking, and aiding a jailbreak.
Voridis stated, “We have built the fence, implemented active deterrence, and developed policies for bilateral pushbacks to the extent possible.” He emphasized that Greece could serve as a case study for technically applying such measures, which could be of interest to Trump given his immigration policies during his presidency.
Nick Kyrgios has spoken out against Australia’s treatment of Novak Djokovic, criticizing the handling of the Serbian player’s detention and subsequent deportation. Djokovic, who alleged he was poisoned during his stay in Melbourne, faced visa issues due to his vaccination status. Kyrgios expressed regret over the situation, describing it as unfair, while Djokovic suggested the actions were influenced by concerns over his potential as an anti-vaccination symbol.
New travel requirements are coming for non-EU citizens visiting Europe. The Entry/Exit System (EES) and European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will introduce biometric registration and travel authorizations for short stays. These changes will affect UK passport holders and other visa-exempt travelers, impacting border procedures and potentially creating longer wait times. Learn more about these upcoming changes and how they might impact your European travel plans.
Apocalypto” star Rudy Youngblood is being held in a Greek jail after his visa expired and he was found carrying a pocketknife. The actor claims a language barrier and lack of clear identification by plainclothes police led to his arrest. He now faces deportation
Seventy-four migrants, including individuals from Pakistan, Sudan, and Egypt, arrived at the port of Gavdos on Thursday, requesting assistance from Greek authorities. After being confirmed in good health, they will be transferred to Paleochora, Chania, and later accommodated at Agia for further registration.
Greece has extended the deadline for Golden Visa property purchases to February 2025, giving investors more time to complete contracts under the previous investment thresholds. This move offers flexibility amidst recent program changes aimed at addressing the country’s housing crisis.
An investigative report has revealed that Greek authorities jailed nine innocent Egyptian migrants for over a year on false smuggling charges related to the tragic Pylos shipwreck. Despite having evidence of their innocence, Greece delayed justice, raising international concerns over potential misconduct and accountability.
Greece faces a critical labor shortage, urgently needing over 300,000 foreign workers to support its economy. Bureaucratic hurdles hinder recruitment efforts, while the streamlined EU Blue Card program aims to attract highly skilled professionals.
Donald Trump has appointed Elon Musk as the first-ever Secretary of Government Effectiveness in his upcoming administration, with the goal of streamlining government operations and cutting bureaucratic inefficiencies. Musk, alongside Vivek Ramaswamy, will lead efforts to reduce government spending and restructure federal agencies. In addition, Trump announced Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense and Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security, with both appointees set to focus on military strength and border security.
