Turkey Detains Over 152,000 Undocumented Migrants, Afghans Most Affected

DID Press: More than 152,000 undocumented migrants have been detained across Turkey over the past year, according to figures released by the country’s Directorate of Migration. Afghan migrants, with more than 42,000 detentions, constitute the largest group among those arrested.

After Afghans, the highest number of detentions involved Syrian nationals, followed by migrants from Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Iran — figures that once again highlight Turkey’s role as one of the main transit routes for migrants heading toward Europe.

Official data show that the total number of migrant detentions in 2025 declined compared with the previous year. In 2024, more than 225,000 undocumented migrants were detained in Turkey, marking a significant drop despite the continuation of strict control policies.

However, detentions of Afghan migrants remain disproportionately high. According to Turkish police statistics, more than 65,000 Afghan migrants were detained in various cities across the country in 2025, underscoring sustained pressure on this group.

Turkey’s geographic position — particularly its proximity to Greece — has made it a key hub for human smuggling routes, prompting intensified security operations along migration corridors.

At the same time, European pressure on Ankara to curb irregular migration has increased. In response, the Turkish government has stepped up detention and deportation measures, a move that has often resulted in the return of Afghan migrants to Afghanistan.

Amid these developments, concerns over human rights and the fate of detained migrants, especially Afghans, continue to grow.