1570 irregular immigrants in 2024, "clandestines" aim for the West, only 97 applied for asylum

Last year, 1,540 irregular migrants were caught, mainly in the south-east of the country, in Saranda and Korça. Data from the Department of Borders and Migration shows that compared to 2023, the number of refugees from the Middle East and North Africa has decreased by 77 percent.

Although declining, flows show that Albania continues to be considered a "land of unrest."

"They are transiting through Albania. They are not seeking asylum. They want to flee to the West. That is where their intended destination is. And mainly at the Kapshtica-Kakavija border. This is a different trend from previous years. Previously, they were usually caught within the territory of Albania," Armela Xhaho, a researcher on immigration issues, told A2 CNN.

Data from the Ministry of Interior, meanwhile, shows that only a small number of irregular foreign migrants who are caught apply for asylum. Last year, only 97 asylum seekers were processed, compared to 256 in 2023. 

"More than the bureaucracy in the procedures, this comes as a result of the unwillingness that these foreigners have to stay in Albania. Most of them don't even wait for the procedures and leave somewhere else," Xhaho added.

Migrants, mainly from Syria, Morocco, Algeria and other economically poor or conflict-ridden countries, enter the country through border crossings with Greece. They then try to head for the “Balkan Route” through the north of the country to settle in the “West”.

From 2016 until the end of last year, nearly 70,000 irregular migrants have been apprehended at border points and within the country's territory.

"The peak was in 2019. The trend started in 2015. There has been an increase over the years, while in the last two years there has been a slowdown," Xhaho declared.

Albania will spend over 3.5 billion lek or about 32 million euros in two years to manage the country's 1,094-kilometer border line. The Ministry of Interior previously approved the 2024-2025 Action Plan, where special attention is paid to irregular migrants. (A2 Televizion)