Minister of Internal Affairs Mustafa Çiftçi gave comprehensive messages, from the fight against irregular migration to border security, from the future of temporary protection status to voluntary returns.
Minister of Internal Affairs Çiftçi stated that migration is not seen as a result that occurs only within the borders of Türkiye and that the entire process will be managed together from the source to the return.
Emphasizing that the target in the fight against irregular migration is not immigrants, but smuggling networks that turn people's desperation into profit, Çiftçi explained that the technological capacity in border security has been increased, and told Yeni Şafak about the goals of the new era in migration management, the steps to be taken in the fight against irregular migration, the future of temporary protection status and the voluntary return process of Syrians.
“WE DO NOT TREACH IT AS A RESULT WE ENCOUNTERED WITHIN OUR BORDERS”
"What decisions will be taken in practice, from preventing irregular migration at its source to encouraging voluntary returns?" Answering the question, Minister Çiftçi said, "A new management has taken office at our Directorate of Migration Management and will carry out the process with this vision. In the new period, we do not treat migration as a result that we encounter only within our borders." He said:
"We manage it as a holistic process extending from the source country to the return stage. With this understanding, we have built our strategy on five pillars. Preventing migration at the source, effectively protecting our borders, detecting irregular migration within the country, combating unregistered employment and immigrant smuggling, and managing voluntary returns in a safe, honorable and orderly manner. Prevent at the source, block at the border, detect inside, neutralize the organizer, manage the return."
"THE TARGET OF THE STRUGGLE ARE NOT MIGRANTS, BUT TRAFFICKERS"
Providing information about the steps taken in the fight against irregular migration and immigrant smuggling, as well as in border security, Çiftçi stated that the target of this fight is not immigrants but immigrant smuggling organizations.
"We are not targeting immigrants, but the smuggling network that sells human lives." Çiftçi continued his statement as follows:
"We protect our borders with the most advanced technology. Today, there are 1,349 kilometers of security walls, 362 electro-optical towers, drones and other technological systems on our border line. We have carried out 4 thousand 94 operations against immigrant smugglers so far. The number of foreigners who have the legal right to stay in our country is 3 million 623 thousand 608. We will stop irregular migration not at the border gate, but before the migration route is formed."
Minister Çiftçi asked: "How do you evaluate the situation regarding the future of temporary protection and voluntary returns to Syria?" The question was also asked.
The Minister of Internal Affairs stated that while security, public order and state institutions are being re-established in Syria, legal and administrative studies are being carried out regarding the future of temporary protection practice.
“WE WILL NOT FORCE SEND ANYONE TO AN ENVIRONMENT OF DEATH AND CRUELTY”
"Because temporary protection is an exceptional mechanism depending on the conditions of war and mass threat. This status must be re-evaluated within the law as the conditions change. Temporary protection is not another name for permanent residence. We will not carry out this process with sudden and arbitrary decisions." "We will jointly protect human dignity, legal security, public order and Turkey's national interests. We will not forcibly send anyone to an environment of death, cruelty or insecurity. However, we will not allow the temporary protection mechanism to turn into indefinite uncertainty. If the conditions change, the status also changes; but every step is taken according to law and human dignity. There is no forced sending, there is no indefinite uncertainty." he said and shared the following information:
WHAT IS THE NUMBER OF SYRIANS UNDER PROTECTION IN Türkiye?
"Today, the number of Syrians under temporary protection in our country is 2 million 235 thousand 988. Between 2016 and July 31, 2026, 1 million 462 thousand 947 Syrians; and since December 8, 2024, 722 thousand 944 Syrians have returned to their country voluntarily, safely and honorably. These returns are supported by the work we carry out with the Syrian authorities, including security, shelter, identity, title deed and "We do this by solving official document problems and ensuring that returnees can rebuild their lives in their own countries. Our faith commands mercy, our state responsibility commands security, and our law commands justice."
WILL SYRIANS BE PERMANENT?
Çiftçi said, "From time to time, the public asks, 'Will Syrians be permanent?' concern is expressed. "How do you handle this issue in terms of social harmony and public order?" He answered the question as follows:
"We base our policy on a solid balance between protecting public order and fulfilling our humanitarian responsibility. We do not compromise on the peace of our citizens or human dignity. We will protect public order and fulfill our humanitarian responsibility; these two are not opposites of each other. Let me conclude my words as follows: The compass of our migration policy is clear. We will protect our border, crack down on smugglers, prevent informality, support voluntary return, and we will take every step we take with law, reason and conscience. Protect the border. "Bust the smuggler, keep the record, support the return; take every step with law and conscience."
