Immigration Solicitors

The United Nations refugee agency has said that the changing weather in the Mediterranean has not stopped the flow of migrants trying to reach Greece from Africa and the Middle East – and unless accommodation and conditions for migrants in Greece improve, the secondary flow of newly arrived migrants across the EU will continue.

The estimated number of refugees arriving in Greece this year is expected to reach 400,000 in the near future. Greece is the main point of entry for refugees, with Italy the second most-used point of entry, with 131,000 refugees arriving there this year, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), The total number of refugees crossing the Mediterranean Sea to Europe in 2015 is shortly expected to exceed 500,000.

Figures show that despite the change in weather, in September, a total of 168,000 migrants crossed the Mediterranean – the highest monthly figure ever recorded and nearly five times the number who arrived in Europe via the Mediterranean Sea in September 2014.
It is thought that Germany’s policy of allowing all Syrian migrants into the country – announced in September – has encouraged the flow of migrants.

Speaking in Geneva, UNHCR spokesperson Adrian Edwards said:

“The continuing high rate of arrivals underlines the need for a fast implementation of Europe’s relocation programme, jointly with the establishment of robust facilities to receive, assist, register and screen all people arriving by sea. These are steps needed for stabilising the crisis.”

However, Mr Edwards added that in the first week of October, the further change in the weather appeared to have impacted on the number of refugees arriving, with a “noticeable drop” in numbers arriving last week.

He said that the figure had fallen from an average of around 5,000 arrivals daily in recent weeks, to around 3,300 refugees over the past six days. On 1 October, a total of 1,500 refugees had arrived.

“Nevertheless, any improvement in the weather is likely to bring another surge in sea arrivals,” Mr Edwards added.
However, cooler, windier weather has made conditions for crossing even more perilous for migrants attempting to reach Greece from Turkey by sea. The UN says at least 102 people have died or gone missing in Greek waters this year – and nearly 3,000 people have died or gone missing in 2015 while crossing the Mediterranean Sea.

“The pace and scale of the movement into Greece continues to put enormous pressure on the Government and many communities,” Mr Edwards said.

“While authorities have worked to improve reception and registration facilities and operations in the islands, bottlenecks still occur.”

He added that in spite of increased efforts to process refugees arriving on the Greek islands, the registration process “should be enhanced” – as well as being “fully consistent with applicable European Union norms for all arrivals”.

“UNHCR is concerned that the lack of reception capacity in Greece could seriously jeopardise the relocation programme agreed upon by the European Council, as eligible refugees have nowhere to stay while awaiting relocation,” he added.
“If this is not immediately addressed, secondary movements to neighbouring countries are likely to continue.”

Over the weekend, nearly 200 migrants from Morocco and sub-Saharan Africa were rescued off the coast of southern Spain – they were taken to Almeria to be cared for by the Red Cross.

Duncan Lewis Immigration Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of Legal Aid immigration solicitors able to advise migrants from the EU and non-EU countries on a wide range of immigration matters, including:

• Asylum in the UK and asylum appeals
• British citizenship
• Human Rights Act
• Illegal entry to the UK
• Marriage in the UK
• Modern Slavery Bill
• Right to work in the UK
• Spouse visas
• Student visas
• Visa overstays.

For expert legal advice on UK immigration law, call Duncan Lewis immigration solicitors on 020 7923 4020.

For urgent help with immigration matters, call the Duncan Lewis Emergency Hotline on 020 7275 2036, where an accredited immigration lawyer is available 24/7.