Turkish interior minister vows to halt illegal migration in few months

Türkiye’s Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya has promised to put an end to illegal migration in the country, mainly in Istanbul, within a few months.

He made the promise in an interview with Hürriyet newspaper on July 9, TASS reports.

"During the last week, we have strengthened measures against illegal migration, which is one of the priority issues on our ministry's agenda. We are fighting it not only in Istanbul, where we conduct daily raids but also in all 81 provinces of the country. We will continue this fight, I am convinced that after four to five months, the situation with illegal migrants will visibly change," the minister said.

According to local media reports, police in Istanbul's 17 million inhabitants conduct daily raids against illegal migrants almost all over the city, including in tourist areas. Hundreds of people are detained and deported every day.

The Turkish interior minister noted that the fight against illegal migration in the agency he leads is carried out strictly in accordance with international law.

"Illegal migrants are those who entered the country illegally, as well as those whose visas or temporary residence permits have expired," Yerlikaya said.