Migrant panic as over 150,000 undocumented refugees detained in major clampdown | World | News
While hostility towards immigrants increased in public opinion, Türkiye increased its pressure on undocumented refugees. Data published by the Ministry of Internal Affairs shows that as of December 18, a total of 152 thousand 331 irregular immigrants were detained across the country in 2025.
The largest group was Afghans with 42 thousand 202 people, followed by Syrian citizens with 21 thousand 117 people. Among those arrested are immigrants from Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Morocco, Iraq, Egypt, Sudan and Yemen. Türkiye is increasingly becoming a destination and transit country for immigrants fleeing economic difficulties, political instability, conflict and insecurity in their home countries.
Many hope to cross to Europe via Türkiye, which has come under pressure from Brussels to stem the flow. As a result, Ankara has significantly intensified its enforcement operations.
These measures include increased patrols, raids on major cities such as Istanbul and Izmir, and a sharp increase in deportations.
Ankara has been accused of mistreating migrants inside its borders and detention centres. A report published last year by Politico, Der Spiegel and other European media outlets documented widespread abuses.
He cited examples of Afghan and Syrian refugees being subjected to beatings, verbal abuse and being held for long periods in freezing cold rooms for up to 12 hours as a coercive measure to force them to accept deportation.
These practices have been condemned by the United Nations and leading human rights organizations.
They accuse Turkish border guards and police of using excessive and cruel force.
Türkiye has seen a large increase in irregular migration in the last decade. The number of immigrants detained by authorities rose from 58,647 in 2014 to 454,662 in 2019, before declining during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ankara has also stepped up its operations against human trafficking networks. As of mid-December 2025, 10,883 immigrant smugglers were caught across the country.
