ANKARA: Illegal Afghan migrants have emerged as a serious challenge for host countries’ internal security and law and order, as Turkey joins Germany and Iran in intensifying action against undocumented migration.
According to a report by Afghan media outlet Afghanistan International, Turkish police carried out operations in Şırnak and Bayburt, detaining 15 Afghan migrants along with six human smugglers involved in trafficking networks.
The report stated that in Bayburt, three Afghan nationals linked to a human smuggling network facilitating illegal border crossings were arrested, while one suspect was sent to jail following a court order.
Turkish authorities have transferred all detained Afghan nationals to deportation centers, where the process of repatriation to Afghanistan has been initiated.
Turkey’s Directorate of Migration Management has adopted a strict policy against illegal migration, stating that unauthorized entry into the country will not be tolerated and that border surveillance, arrests, and swift deportations will continue.
According to United Nations data, Turkey has detained and deported around 13,500 Afghan asylum seekers this year under its zero-tolerance policy on illegal migration.
Experts warn that insufficient security screening of illegal migrants creates a dangerous gap that could be exploited by extremist elements attempting to establish sleeper cells under the guise of refugees.
However, rising concerns over criminal activity linked to illegal migration have pushed host countries to prioritize national security over humanitarian considerations in their enforcement policies.
