Greece’s Minister for Migration and Asylum, Makis Voridis, made a public statement that leaves much to be concerned about. Speaking on MEGA, on 10 May 2025, he laid out his vision for Greece’s migration policy, signalling a chilling shift toward harsher, more punitive measures. The new phase of migration management, according to him, is focused on one thing: returning illegal migrants, a process that requires a stronger legislative framework to make it “effective.” While that might sound good on paper to some, it reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of the complexities of human mobility and the harsh realities faced by migrants.
Voridis seemed to be framing Greece’s response to migration in terms of security, with a focus on border control and deterrence. He called for illegal immigrants to be “punished,” which, in his view, meant jail or administrative detention. Even more troubling, he suggested that these migrants could have their sentences suspended if they chose to leave voluntarily. It’s an overtly punitive and simplistic view that reduces a deeply complex humanitarian issue to the level of criminal justice.
It’s not hard to see why this rhetoric of “security first” resonates with certain parts of the electorate, especially in times when the migrant crisis is often portrayed as a direct threat to national identity or public safety. But this thinking is dangerously shortsighted. It reduces the people who come to Greece seeking refuge to a mere problem to be managed rather than acknowledging their humanity. It’s easy to see why a policy that treats these individuals as criminals, without regard to the circumstances that led them to seek asylum, is not just morally bankrupt—it’s ineffective.
The notion of treating immigration as a security issue is not new, and we’ve seen this approach before, both in Greece and across Europe. But it’s always been deeply problematic. Greece has faced crises before—overcrowded camps, political tensions, and, let’s not forget, the very real pressures put on its borders by both regional conflicts and economic instability. But there has been no effort to understand the root causes of migration or to integrate these individuals into society. Voridis seems to think that tightening the borders and making deportations easier is the answer. Yet, what about the promise of solidarity? What about the European Union’s commitment to protect the most vulnerable?
Voridis also took the opportunity to criticise the previous SYRIZA government’s policies, suggesting that the left’s approach, which called for “open borders and managing integration,” was a failure. He positions his government’s shift as a necessary one—from handling migration with an open, inclusive approach to managing it with strict deterrence and enforcement. But here’s the thing: the policy he advocates doesn’t solve the core issue. It’s about more control, more detention, and less compassion. Greece needs a plan that doesn’t just guard its borders but also offers solutions for the people who come through them.
Then there’s the European context. Voridis talked about Europe’s “new regulation on migration” and the need for a “new legislative framework,” all focused on returns. Yet this approach, which leans so heavily on deterrence, ignores the importance of cooperation across European borders. If Europe cannot come together on migration, then each member state is left to fend for itself, making its own policies in isolation. But such isolationism undermines the very values Europe was built on: solidarity, shared responsibility, and human rights. Greece’s more hardline stance risks alienating it from its European neighbours who understand the importance of not just managing borders, but also offering sanctuary to those in need.
And let’s talk about the human cost of these policies. Yes, some of the rhetoric used by Voridis might strike a chord with those frustrated by overcrowded camps or the challenges of integration. But the real question is, what happens to the people who are forced out under these policies? What becomes of the families who flee conflict, the children who have seen horrors no child should ever see? Does the promise of an easy deportation solve any of that? The answer, unfortunately, is no.
The Minister also touched on security concerns related to recent violence at Athens Law School and Polytechnic City, calling for universities to take stronger administrative actions. His response, which places responsibility on academic institutions for maintaining order, fails to address the deeper social and political issues that give rise to such incidents. Universities, as spaces of intellectual and political expression, should not be viewed as mere sites for law enforcement to impose control. Instead, it is vital to recognize and address the underlying causes of unrest and to foster an environment where critical discourse can thrive safely.
At the end of the day, Greece’s migration crisis is not something that can be solved with stricter enforcement, longer detentions, or “active deterrence” at the border. It’s a complex issue that requires thoughtful, humane policies and cooperation on a European level. Instead of focusing on the return of migrants as a final goal, Greece and Europe as a whole should be looking at how to integrate, protect, and empower those who arrive seeking a better life. We need policies that prioritize dignity, rights, and compassion—not punishment. Unfortunately, Makis Voridis’ current approach to the issue leaves all of that behind.
