Greece’s Migrant Crackdown Fails: Boats Flood Crete with Hundreds!
Despite asylum crackdowns, over 120 migrants land in Crete, fueling tensions and policy debates.
Greece is grappling with a surge in migrant arrivals on the island of Crete, where authorities intercepted more than 120 migrants on Monday, August 18, despite a recent suspension of asylum claims and plans for stringent detention policies.
Two boats, carrying 58 and 68 passengers believed to have originated from Libya, were stopped early Monday, with the migrants placed in temporary shelters under guard. Over the weekend, more than 100 additional migrants reached Crete as strong winds subsided, according to the Associated Press.
The conservative Greek government suspended asylum claims for sea arrivals from North Africa last month to deter crossings, which peaked at over 2,500 in a single week in July. However, the continued influx has strained relations with Crete’s regional authorities, who oppose plans for a permanent transit facility on the island.
The government is also preparing draft legislation, set for submission after the summer recess, mandating imprisonment for migrants with rejected asylum claims and requiring ankle monitors during a 30-day compliance period before deportation.
The persistent arrivals underscore the challenges of managing migration flows, as Greece balances stricter policies with logistical and regional tensions.
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