Türkiye enforces stricter migration policies: No new Syrian entries since 2022

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya made significant statements on Türkiye’s migration policies, a key issue on the national agenda. Speaking to Sabah daily, Yerlikaya emphasized that the government has taken strong measures to stop migration at its source.

“We built a 911 kilometer wall and are not allowing any passage across our borders,” he stated.

Yerlikaya highlighted that Türkiye currently hosts 4.44 million registered foreigners, of which 3.1 million are Syrians. Additionally, there are 1.1 million foreigners with residence permits and 224,000 under international protection.

“Among those with residence permits are international students, domestic workers, and rehabilitation caregivers,” he noted.

Government refutes 2 million African migrants claim

Addressing visa-free entry for citizens of 95 countries, Yerlikaya explained the government’s stance: “Tourists who stay for six months and then seek residence permits must return home and apply for a work permit if they wish to stay longer. You leave with the same intent you entered with.”

Regarding rumors of 2 million Africans residing in Türkiye, Yerlikaya dismissed these claims as baseless. He explained that over the last five years, 6.62 million Africans entered Türkiye, with 6.44 million leaving. Of those who remained, 142,423 hold residence permits, and 7,302 still have valid visas.

He added that the remaining 25,109 are likely among the 85,000 Africans reported by Frontex to have arrived in Europe via the Eastern Mediterranean and Western Balkans.

‘Türkiye doesn’t automatically grant citizenship’

Yerlikaya also clarified that no new Syrian registrations have been made in Türkiye since June 2022. “We established a security corridor along the Syria-Türkiye border to counter both the terror corridor and migration. Around 7 million people live near our borders, and we are not allowing any passage to our side,” he emphasized.

Additionally, Yerlikaya addressed misconceptions about citizenship for Syrians born in Türkiye, stating, “Unlike in the U.S., birth in Türkiye does not automatically grant citizenship.”

Substantial investments in border security

Highlighting the government’s investment in border security, Yerlikaya revealed that Türkiye has spent $950 million on border security, with an additional $136 million allocated for this year.

The measures include a 1,253-kilometer security wall, 1,715-kilometer of patrol roads, extensive lighting, surveillance systems, and thermal cameras.

Yerlikaya also announced a new phase in Türkiye’s fight against illegal migration, with the introduction of fingerprinting at entry points, similar to systems used in the U.S. and U.K.