Cyprus’s Aliens and Immigration Unit swooped on illegal migrants living in Nicosia today, arresting a total of 41 third-country nationals found to be residing in the Republic unlawfully, as part of the force’s ongoing crackdown on illegal immigration.
Of those detained, 16 have already been deported back to their home countries, while the remaining 25 have been transferred to accommodation centres. Officials say return and repatriation procedures for the rest will now be fast-tracked in cooperation with the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection.
The swoop is the latest in a relentless drive to tackle illegal immigration on the island — with a staggering 6,370 people who were living in Cyprus unlawfully having already been repatriated since the start of the year alone, through a mix of forced and voluntary return procedures.
