Illegal migrants change route from water to land

The police have established checkpoints on the Meriç and Süvari bridges, which connect the city of Edirne with Karaağaç. Officers stop suspicious motorists and pedestrians to verify their identity. This has led to around 500 migrants and guides being detained in only the last two months.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Turkey spokesman Metin Çorabatır told the Anatolia news agency that Turkey gives a temporary refugee document to migrants who come from outside Europe.

“Some refugees find the period of time they have to wait to be placed in a third country to be long or are unable to pay the cost of residence [money paid to Turkey per person for six months during their temporary stay in the country]. Thus, they may attempt to go abroad illegally,” he said.

Çorabatır said some refugees choose to pay human smugglers instead to help them more quickly reach a third country.

While highlighting that the cost of securing a residence permit must be eliminated, Çorabatır said: “It cannot be removed immediately because it requires a change in law. But Interior Minister Beşir Atalay has already sent a notice to governors’ offices instructing them to not ask refugees for the cost of a residence permit if they cannot pay.”