site.btaNumber of Returned Third-Country Nationals Increases Significantly

The number of returned third-country nationals, who have been illegally staying in Bulgaria, has increased significantly, the Migration Directorate with the Ministry of Interior said in a press release on Wednesday. A total of 114 third-country nationals illegally residing on the territory of Bulgaria have been returned since the beginning of 2024, the Interior Ministry said. Compared to the same period in 2023, when the number of returnees was 31, the Migration Directorate reports an increase of 267%. From January 1 to February 14, 2024, a total of 158 illegally staying third-country nationals were accommodated in the Directorate's specialized temporary accommodation homes, compared to 242 for the same period in 2023.

The Interior Ministry's analysis shows that the increase is due to the successful implementation of a pilot project of Bulgaria and the EC on preventing illegal arrivals and strengthening border management and migration management in the last months of 2023. Lower migration pressure is also reported.

In 2023, a total of 566 illegally staying third-country nationals were returned. A total of 221 of them were forcibly displaced; 238 were returned under readmission agreements; 46 - with decisions issued by their own means; 35 - with the assistance of the International Organization for Migration, and 26 left Bulgaria voluntarily through an imposed return decision.