Greece Enacts Law Jailing Rejected Asylum Seekers Amid Migrant Surge

Greece has enacted some of Europe's toughest immigration laws, imposing prison terms of two to five years, hefty fines, and electronic monitoring on rejected asylum seekers who remain in the country beyond 14 days. The legislation, championed by conservative Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Migration Minister Thanos Plevris, aims to deter undocumented migrants amid a recent surge in arrivals, particularly from Libya to islands like Crete and Gavdos. The law also restricts the possibility of illegal migrants obtaining residency after seven years and allows for detention of up to 24 months. Critics, including opposition parties, human rights organizations, and the UNHCR, argue the measures are abusive, risk penalizing genuine asylum seekers, and violate human rights. Supporters maintain the law protects Greek citizens and will reduce migrant inflows, but concerns remain over Greece's capacity to handle increased detentions and adherence to European legal standards. The policy reflects a broader European trend toward stricter border controls and accelerated deportations.