Turkey’s Presidency of Migration Management (Göç İdaresi Başkanlığı) has reported that in 2025, a total of 152,331 irregular migrants were apprehended across the country as of mid-December. Of these, 42,202 were Afghan nationals, placing Afghanistan at the top of the list of countries of origin for detained irregular migrants.
Kabul 24: This figure represents a significant portion of the overall apprehensions, with Afghans accounting for more than a quarter of the total. Following Afghanistan, the nationalities with the highest numbers of detentions were:Syria: 21,117
Uzbekistan: 13,030
Turkmenistan: 10,467
Iran: 8,893
Morocco: 7,594
Iraq: 6,666
Egypt: 4,985
Sudan: 3,114
Yemen: 2,782
Additionally, Turkish authorities arrested 10,883 human smugglers during the same period, highlighting intensified efforts to combat migrant smuggling networks.Turkey continues to serve as a major transit route for migrants aiming to reach Europe, particularly via land borders with Iran.
Many Afghan migrants enter irregularly through this route, driven by ongoing instability, economic hardship, and insecurity in Afghanistan following the Afghanistan takeover in 2021.
Turkish officials have strengthened border security measures, including walls and increased patrols, to curb irregular entries.
These detentions occur amid a broader regional crisis of Afghan migrant returns. Afghanistan is facing overwhelming pressure from mass repatriations, with reports indicating that over 1.8 million Afghans have been returned from neighboring countries like Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey since the start of 2025.
This influx strains Afghanistan’s limited resources, exacerbating humanitarian challenges such as unemployment, poverty, and access to basic services.
Human rights organizations have raised concerns about the treatment of detained migrants, including allegations of poor conditions in removal centers and instances where asylum claims are not adequately processed before deportation.
Turkish authorities maintain that operations are conducted in line with national security needs and international obligations.
Overall, the 2025 statistics reflect a continuation of migration pressures on Turkey, with Afghan nationals remaining the most prominent group among irregular entrants.
While apprehensions show a relative decline compared to peak years, the issue remains a key challenge for both Turkey and the broader region.
