The Ministry of Immigration is moving to reinforce its new policy of deterring illegal immigration, introducing additional measures aimed at closing loopholes that allow abuse of asylum privileges.

According to reports, Minister Thanos Plevris, in cooperation with Deputy Minister Sevi Voloudaki, is preparing an amendment to Parliament that would lower the legal definition of “minor” for males from 18 to 16 years of age. At the same time, the ministry will cut the budget for food menus in migrant accommodation facilities by at least 30%.

Lowering the “Minor” Threshold

The proposed age change would apply only to boys, who make up 70% of unaccompanied minors in Greece. Girls — just 8% of the group — would still be considered minors until 18. Currently, 1,544 unaccompanied minors live in facilities such as reception centers and semi-independent housing, with 1,047 boys aged 16–18.

Deputy Minister Voloudaki told THEMA that the ministry plans to use medically and scientifically validated age tests to prevent abuses that “divert valuable resources away from children in real need.” Those who refuse to take the test would be treated as adults.

The ministry also plans to restructure juvenile accommodation facilities, separating residents by age group to create safer and more appropriate environments.

A forthcoming ministerial decision will align Greek law with a European directive, allowing medical testing (such as bone age scans) when there is doubt about an asylum seeker’s age.

Cutting Costs in Migrant Facilities

The ministry is also preparing a tender for renewing the framework contract for preparing, delivering, and serving meals in accommodation facilities, which expires in September. The 2021 contract — considered successful compared to the direct-award system used under SYRIZA — will remain competitive, but with cost-saving adjustments.

Minister Plevris has ordered a 30% cut in budgets for food, security, maintenance, and cleaning in facilities housing adult migrants. Benefits for minors and vulnerable groups will remain unchanged.

“The Ministry of Immigration is not a hotel,” Plevris said, adding that “hotel-like” menus will be reviewed. The current daily menu cost, excluding VAT, is €6.88 and includes items such as beef, chicken, lamb, fish, legumes, and fruit.

Shelter staff have claimed that food deliveries sometimes don’t match the agreed menus and that in many cases the number of portions delivered exceeds the number of residents.

Plevris recently made unannounced visits to five shelters to assess service quality. The ministry estimates that a 30% cost reduction would save about €65 million annually, funded jointly by Greece and the EU.

Tougher Immigration Bill

These measures will accompany new legislation submitted to Parliament last Friday, aimed at tightening immigration policy and strengthening deportation procedures.

Key provisions include:

• Making illegal entry a criminal offense punishable by at least 3 years in prison without parole.
• Increasing maximum detention for asylum seekers in pre-departure centers (PREKEKA) from 18 to 24 months.
• Shortening the voluntary departure deadline from 25 to 14 days after a final rejection.
• Introducing electronic monitoring (bracelets) for easier tracking.
• Abolishing favorable legalization rules for migrants with 7 years of residence.

Failure to leave after 14 days would be a criminal offense, carrying a minimum 3-year prison term and a €10,000 fine.

The government’s guiding principle: those not entitled to asylum are illegal and must be returned.

European Return Mandate

The bill aligns with EU policy, supporting a proposed European regulation that would allow member states to automatically recognize deportation orders issued by other EU countries. Eventually, such recognition will be mandatory.

Return orders will be uploaded to the Schengen Information System, making them valid across the EU. This is intended to prevent migrants from moving between member states to avoid deportation.

Sanctions for Non-Cooperative Countries

The EU will monitor whether countries like Afghanistan, Syria, and Pakistan accept returnees under existing agreements. Non-cooperative states could face visa restrictions or tougher sanctions.

Some EU governments have even suggested creating return centers in third countries for migrants with final deportation orders, excluding families and minors.

Libya Deterrent Effect

The ministry says the recent suspension of asylum processing for those arriving illegally from Libya and North Africa is already working. Between July 11 and August 8, under favorable weather, about 900 people entered via the southern Cretan Sea — compared to 2,642 in the week before the measure took effect.