Earlier today, a post by the US Embassy in Greece brought the issue into focus, revealing that the two countries are opening a channel of cooperation on migration management. The initiative is part of Greece’s broader policy to intensify returns and follows a move by Migration Minister Thanos Plevris.

In its post on X, the US Embassy noted that both sides are working together “to keep our societies safe and protect our borders.” It also disclosed that US officials have provided training to Greek authorities on voluntary departure procedures using the CBP Home application.

The joint statement issued today makes clear that the United States and Greece are committed to sharing best practices in addressing illegal migration.

Since taking office, Plevris has outlined a clear policy line: stricter penalties for illegal migration, a rationalisation of benefits, and a “return or detention” doctrine as a key deterrent. At the same time, Greece is pursuing broader cooperation with other countries to exchange expertise and improve migration management. Just a day earlier, Plevris announced ongoing discussions with Germany, Austria, Denmark and the Netherlands on return regulations and the creation of return centers in third countries.

The message from the ministry is that it is moving beyond managing flows and facilities, seeking practical tools, innovative ideas and best practices that can be applied immediately, both technically and procedurally.

Digital tools and voluntary returns

According to sources cited by protothema.gr, contacts between the services of the two countries officially began on March 27 with the first training seminar for officials of the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum. The focus was on digital tools used by US authorities in return procedures, with particular emphasis on the CBP Home application and the concept of “voluntary, dignified departures.”

Voluntary return is widely recognised internationally as a faster and more efficient way to implement deportations, as it reduces administrative burden, relieves pressure on reception facilities and lowers the costs associated with forced removals. The US has invested both politically and technically in this approach, developing tools that encourage migrants to leave before stricter enforcement measures are applied.

What is CBP Home?

CBP Home is an application developed by US Customs and Border Protection which, since 2025, includes an “Intent to Depart” feature. This allows users to declare their intention to leave the United States through an organised process.

According to DHS, the platform functions as a “voluntary self-deportation” tool, promoting voluntary departure as an alternative to detention or forced removal.

The model presented to the Greek authorities is therefore not merely a mobile application, but a broader return management system based on digital declarations of intent, standardised procedures and—according to DHS—incentives that make voluntary departure easier than forced expulsion.

Possible expansion of cooperation

Today’s contacts are expected to continue, as the Ministry of Migration and Asylum indicated its intention to further strengthen and expand cooperation into other key areas of migration management.

These may include training in assessing information on conditions in migrants’ countries of origin—particularly in unstable regions with limited access to reliable data, such as Syria and other parts of the Middle East.

There is also reported interest in procedures for revoking asylum or international protection status, as well as excluding individuals from protection when evidence emerges of serious crimes or war crimes.

This aligns with recent developments in Greece, where authorities, following instructions from Plevris, have reviewed dozens of cases and proceeded with hundreds of revocations of international protection.

Official statement

In its official statement, the Ministry of Migration and Asylum said that, as part of efforts to identify innovative ideas and best practices for accelerating the return of irregular migrants, its services have launched a process of information exchange and training with US counterparts, at the initiative of Minister Thanos Plevris.

Contacts between the two sides formally began on March 27 with the first training seminar, which included a presentation of the CBP Home application used by US authorities to support organised and dignified voluntary returns.

The ministry added that both it and the Greek government intend to further strengthen and expand this cooperation to other critical areas of migration management, with a focus on border protection and enhancing public security.