site.btaIllegal Migrants' Arrests Decrease between October and November

December 25 (BTA) - In November 2021, the Bulgarian authorities arrested 1,320 migrants from non-EU countries, including 1,147 people who were staying illegally in Bulgaria's interior, according to data posted on the Interior Ministry website. The rest were apprehended at the national border on their way in (110) or out (63) of the country. The total number of arrests was 22.1 per cent fewer than in October 2021.

Between January and November 2021, Bulgarian law enforcers detained 9,574 migrants from non-EU countries. These included 7,280 people staying illegally in Bulgaria's interior, 1,310 people crossing the border on their way into the country and 984 people crossing the border on their way out. The total number of arrests during the 11-month period increased 3.1-fold compared with January-November 2020.

Among inbound migrants arrested at the border in November 2021, those entering Bulgaria from Turkey were most numerous, at 102. Another seven were entering from Greece. Afghan nationals accounted for 42.9 per cent of inbound migrants arrested at the Bulgarian border in January-November 2021, and Syrian nationals were 31.1 per cent. As for outbound migrants arrested at the border, 293 were detained at the border with Serbia, and 19 at the border with Romania.

The camps of the State Agency for Refugees had 2,371 residents as at November 30, 2021. Another 353 migrants were accommodated at external addresses. By that date, the accommodation capacity of the camps was filled 45.9 per cent, compared with 43.6 per cent by October 31, 2021. The month of November saw 1,617 people getting admitted to the camps and 1,383 people leaving them of their own accord.

Another 893 nationals of non-EU countries were using accommodation of the Interior Ministry's Migration Directorate as at November 30, 2021, which means that the capacity was 68.7 per cent full. This compares with 89.8 per cent (1,167 residents) in October 2021.

About 100 unaccompanied under-age children have been handed over to the Social Assistance Directorate in 2021. VE