German police say illegal immigration rose in 2023
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) published on Wednesday a report indicating a significant rise in illegal immigration in 2023, mostly from Syria.
The report states that 266,224 individuals were suspected of having entered the country illegally, representing a 33.4 percent increase compared to 2022.
The main countries of origin for those illegally entering Germany were Syria (54,207), Turkey(35,732), and Afghanistan(35,370).
According to the BKA, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex, reported 380,200 unauthorized crossings at the external borders of the Schengen Area, adding it is the highest annual number since 2016.
The statistical office of the European Union (EU) Eurostat said on Aug. 20 more than 76,000 first-time asylum applicants, mainly Syrians, applied for international protection in May 2024.
Germany continued to receive the highest number of asylum applications with a total of 18,175, which accounted for 24 percent of all first-time applicants in the EU, according to Eurostat.