Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya: "Turkey is a Leading Model for Migration Management Globally."
16.04.2025
Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya stated that the foundation of the Presidency of Migration Management was laid 12 years ago, and that the institution has since become a successful actor in managing one of the world’s most challenging areas: migration governance.
Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya shared his remarks with Anadolu Agency on the occasion of the 12th anniversary of the Presidency of Migration Management. Minister Yerlikaya remarked, Today, we are celebrating not merely the anniversary of an institution, but of an approach that places human dignity at its core and noted that Turkey approaches migration not solely as a security issue, but as a multifaceted phenomenon with humanitarian, sociological and international dimensions.
Minister of Interior Yerlikaya emphasized that human dignity lies at the heart of Turkey’s migration policies, stating that the country adopts a balanced state approach that does not ignore the suffering of forcibly displaced people and, at the same time, does not compromise its own security. He added that the Presidency of Migration Management operates in line with this very understanding.
Minister of Interior Yerlikaya emphasized that migration management has been shaped in line with the vision of a strong and powerful Turkey, noting that " One of the top priorities is the management of regular migration. We want our country to become a center of attraction for international university students, skilled expert workforce, and foreign investors. It is very important for us that these foreigners come to our country legally, stay legally, and return to their countries legally, contributing to our nation while also leaving with beautiful memories when they depart. For this reason, we have carried out significant initiatives within the scope of regular migration.”
Turkey: A Model Country in Migration Management for the World
Minister of Interior Yerlikaya, emphasizing that migration management has become one of the most challenging areas faced by the world in recent years, continued as follows:
“Unfortunately, we are witnessing that many countries have failed this test. Under the leadership of our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Türkiye has successfully implemented a migration policy that places human beings at its center while never compromising public security. As we advance toward the goal of a ‘Strong Türkiye’ in the Century of Türkiye, migration management has become one of the areas in which we are most capable and effective. Türkiye is a model country for the world in migration management. During our term in office, we have taken significant steps in the field of migration management. We have successfully implemented model practices such as our mobile migration point vehicles, which were launched based on human rights and the values of our civilization and have significantly accelerated our fight against irregular migration. We have become a country that is closely followed and consulted by other nations in migration management. "
Minister Yerlikaya stated that when migration is managed correctly, it holds many opportunities in the long term.
However, Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya stated that in the opposite case, problems arising from irregular migration are encountered, adding that, "For example, xenophobia and racist rhetoric begin to increase. These issues also complicate the management of regular migration, which involves the arrival of foreigners who contribute to the country's added value. In short, since all areas of migration management are interconnected, it is necessary to manage them all together. And this is exactly what we are doing. We are implementing new practices in all areas related to regular migration, irregular migration, human trafficking, integrated border management, international protection, temporary protection, voluntary return, and migration management,” he said.
Minister Yerlikaya explained that in the 12 years that have passed, the Presidency of Migration Management has become a strong institution organized in all 81 provinces, implementing practices and innovations that the entire world closely follows.
We have Shown the World What It Truly Means to Protect Human Dignity
Minister of Interior Yerlikaya stated that due to the Syrian civil war that began in 2011, Turkey faced a major test in migration management, and continued his speech as follows:
“We have opened our arms to millions of Syrian brothers and sisters seeking refuge in our country. In their hardest times, during their darkest days, we became a beacon of hope for them. Inspired by our civilization's values, we have shown the world what it means to protect human dignity. And December 8, 2024, marked the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. The 61-year-old Baath regime collapsed. Assad fled the country. The oppression in Syria has found its place in the dark pages of history. Following December 8, 2024, necessary arrangements have been made to ensure that the return of Syrians in our country who wish to return takes place in a voluntary, safe, dignified, and orderly manner, alongside the current developments in Syria.
We are managing the process transparently, leaving no room for any doubts. All returns are being monitored by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), meaning they are taking place under the oversight of a third party. Indeed, after his visit to our country, UNHCR High Commissioner Filippo Grandi stated in a press conference that Turkey's plan for voluntary returns is progressing very successfully, and he shared this with the global public."
Minister Yerlikaya emphasized that the voluntary return process is being carried out in a planned and systematic manner with great care. He recalled that following December 8, the physical, technical, and human resource capacities at border gates were increased, and that procedures have been carried out in an orderly fashion through an appointment system.
Minister of Interior Yerlikaya stated that they have held meetings with the participation of non-governmental organizations and ensured that the process is conducted transparently.
Minister Yerlikaya reminded that facilities have been introduced to allow Syrians to exit and re-enter with permission in order to prepare for voluntary return. He also noted that a migration representative has been assigned to Syria to ensure on-site monitoring of the process.
175,512 Syrians have returned to their country since 9 December 2024
Minister of Interior Yerlikaya stated that with the liberation of Syria, ‘voluntary, safe, honourable and regular returns’ gained momentum and said the following:
"Since 9 December 2024, 175,512 Syrian brothers and sisters have returned to their country “voluntarily, safely, honourably and regularly”. This means 33 thousand 730 families in total. Between 2017-2025, the number of Syrians who returned to Syria “voluntarily, safely, honourably and regularly” was 915 thousand 515. As stated by our President, we are sincerely doing our part to create the necessary conditions to ensure the voluntary, safe, dignified and orderly return of our Syrian brothers and sisters to their countries."
Regarding Turkey's fight against irregular migration, Yerlikaya said, "In 2023, we reached the highest number of deportations in history, exceeding 130 thousand. The number of deportations in 2024 exceeded 140 thousand, surpassing the previous year. We reached these numbers with the establishment of an effective deportation mechanism that we operate by observing human rights and law. As of 2025, 27 thousand 673 irregular migrants were deported. When the number of irregular migrants apprehended is compared with the number of foreigners deported, the highest rate of all time was reached with a deportation rate of 71 per cent in 2025. From 1 June 2023 to 11 April 2025, the total number of irregular migrants deported is approximately 260 thousand."
Visibility of Mobile Migration Vehicles in the Field Created a Deterrent Effect
Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya emphasised that their strategy to combat irregular migration consists of 5 steps and that they have taken effective border security measures.
Stating that they have implemented the necessary measures to solve the problem at the source in the first step of their strategy, Yerlikaya noted that in the second step, they have taken effective border security measures to protect all borders at the highest level.
Stating that very large investments have been made in this context, Minister Yerlikaya gave the following information:
"With the investments made for border measures, the total number of security walls has increased to 1272 kilometres, patrol roads to 1636 kilometres, lighting to 1058 kilometres, and the number of watchtowers to 198. In the third step, we carry out effective apprehension within the country. In the fight against migrant smuggling, one of the main causes of irregular migration, 13 thousand 61 migrant smugglers were caught by law enforcement officers in 2024 and 2 thousand 922 migrant smugglers as of 2025. From 1 June 2023 to 11 April 2025, 23 thousand 243 migrant smugglers were caught and 8 thousand 927 of them were arrested."
Drawing attention to the role of mobile migration point vehicles in effective apprehensions, Minister of Interior Yerlikaya said that there are 270 mobile migration vehicles in 81 provinces and that they will increase this number in the near future.
Giving information about the activities of mobile migration vehicles, Minister Yerlikaya stated that since July 2023, 3 million 724 thousand 945 foreigners' identity checks have been carried out, 145 thousand 435 foreigners were identified as irregular migrants as a result of the studies and deportation processes were initiated.
Drawing attention to the importance of mobile migration vehicles in detecting irregular migration, Minister of Interior Yerlikaya said, "While the rate of irregular migrants detected in the first 3 months of the application was 74.5 percent, today this rate has dropped to 1.8 percent. This rate alone reveals how great the success we have achieved in our fight against irregular migration."
Important Steps Taken to Prevent Unregistered Employment of Foreigners
Stating that the fourth step in the Strategy for Combating Irregular Migration is the fight against irregular labour migration, Minister Yerlikaya said: "We added this step to our strategy for combating irregular migration last year. Because we know that many irregular migrants are exposed to labour exploitation."
Minister of Interior Yerlikaya stated that working in an unregulated area leads to other illegal activities and many victimisation, and in this context, thanks to the integrated system between the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Directorate of Migration Management last year, they took important steps to prevent the unregistered employment of foreigners.
Minister Yerlikaya explained that the fifth and final stage of the strategy to combat irregular migration is the effective deportation mechanism and pointed out that this includes sending irregular migrants to their home countries both quickly and in accordance with human rights.
Explaining that they carry out all deportation processes, including the detection of irregular migrants and their administrative detention in removal centres, in line with human rights, law and civilisation values, Minister of Interior Yerlikaya said, "In this context, we increased the number of our removal centres and increased the total capacity to 18 thousand 780. In order to ensure that the official procedures of irregular migrants apprehended can be carried out in an orderly manner without coming to the removal centre, we have increased the number of Irregular Migration Centres to 18 thousand 780. We launched Irregular Migrant Pre-Acceptance and Referral Centres (GÖKSEM) in order to ensure that the official procedures of irregular migrants apprehended can be carried out in an orderly manner without coming to the removal centre. We opened the Istanbul Airport transfer centre for the effective execution of removal procedures at Istanbul Airport."
Pointing out that their main goal in the fight against irregular migration is not to allow the formation of a ‘power of attraction’ towards Turkey, Yerlikaya said, "Thanks to the effort maid and the strategies implemented, our country has ceased to be an irregular migration route and target for irregular migration. The irregular migration route has changed."
There are 4 Million 43 Thousand 215 Foreigners in Turkey
In the graph shared by Minister Yerlikaya on his social media account, it was noted that 87 thousand 867 of the Syrians returning to their country used Hatay Cilvegözü, 63 thousand 532 used Kilis Öncüpınar, 10 thousand 151 used Hatay Yayladağı, 7 thousand 127 used Gaziantep Karkamış, 5 thousand 410 used Hatay Zeytindalı and 1425 used Şanlıurfa Akçakale border gate.
In addition, another graph shows that 915 thousand 515 Syrians voluntarily returned to their country, including 117 thousand 919 in 2017, 173 thousand 124 in 2018, 93 thousand 249 in 2019, 39 thousand 319 in 2020, 56 thousand 963 in 2021, 58 thousand 758 in 2022, 76 thousand 346 in 2023, 163 thousand 292 in 2024 and 136 thousand 545 until 13 April 2025 this year.
It was recorded that there are 4 million 43 thousand 215 foreigners in Turkey, including 2 million 782 thousand 733 Syrians under temporary protection, 1 million 82 thousand 83 foreigners with residence permit and 178 thousand 399 foreigners under international protection.
Allegations of Relocating Gazans to Camps Not True
Minister of Interior Yerlikaya said that there is absolutely no such situation regarding the allegations of "a plan to relocate Gazan civilians to camps in northern Syria".
Stating that Turkey supports the honourable struggle of the Palestinian people against the occupation, Minister Yerlikaya said:
"Our President, Mr Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, expresses this support on all international platforms. We resolutely reject any attempt to expel Palestinians from the Gaza Strip or the West Bank. We fully support the honourable struggle of the Palestinians for their own land. We reject any attempt to relocate Gazans anywhere outside their own land. It is absolutely out of the question for Turkey to be involved in any relocation plan that would expel Gazans from their homeland. The Disinformation Centre has made three consecutive statements on this issue in recent days and announced that the allegations are false. However, some circles still continue to put forward these allegations. These allegations are completely aimed at manipulating the world public opinion. Those who loudly voice these allegations should think very carefully about who and for what purposes they serve. Turkey continues its unremitting efforts to stop the bombardment, to prevent harm to civilians and to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. We are also continuing our efforts in this direction."
© 2025 Presidency of Migration Management