site.btaDetained Migrants in First Two Months of 2024 Down by Over 40% Y/Y

A total of 725 third-country nationals were detained in Bulgaria in January-February 2024. Of these, 159 were crossing into Bulgaria, 236 were crossing the border to leave without registration and 330 were found illegally staying in the country. A 43.3% decrease is recorded, compared to the total number of detainees in the same period of 2023, a BTA check of the Ministry of Interior's latest data shows on Wednesday. 

Regarding the data for February, a total of 329 third-country nationals were detained, which is 16.9% less, compared to the previous month (396 people). The number of foreign nationals found illegally staying in the country was 119 in February. 

In the period January-February 2024, 159 third-country nationals were apprehended at the entrance to the state border, of whom 136 at the green border and 23 at border crossing points. There is an 80.7% increase compared to the same period in 2023 (88 persons), the Ministry of Interior said. Among them predominate citizens of Syria - 30.8% and Afghanistan - 23.3%.

In the first two months of 2024, 381 third-country nationals were detained at the exit, a 53% increase compared to the same period in 2023, when 249 people were detained. In the period January-February, 330 persons were found to be illegally staying in Bulgaria, a 67.4% decrease compared to the same period in 2023

As of 29 February, 152 persons were accommodated in the facilities of the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of the Interior, with the capacity filled at 14.3%. As of the same date, 1,660 people were accommodated in the centres of the State Agency for Refugees, whose capacity was filled at 46.2%.

According to the data of the Ministry of the Interior, for the period from January 1 to March 5, 2024, 189 people were admitted to Bulgaria under the Dublin Regulation and 140 under readmission, for a total of 329 third-country nationals admitted to Bulgaria.

The Interior Ministry added that the foreigners returned to Bulgaria under readmission agreements are people who have received international protection in Bulgaria. They have not committed crimes in their country of residence and have Bulgarian documents for residence and travel abroad.