By Sheila Alexandra Cross | Team Leader and Member of the governing Committee
A summary of developments from April to June 2025. Sea Arrivals and Border Management From January to 29 June 2025, a total of 18,872 people arrived in Greece seeking asylum: 16,848 arrived by sea from Turkey and 2,024 via land borders. Weekly fluctuations continued; between mid-May and mid-June, 432 people arrived on Chios alone, while 450 were transferred off the island. Pushbacks by the Greek Coast Guard persist, though no official statistics exist. Vial CCAC (Chios) and June Wildfire As of May, the Vial Closed Controlled Access Centre (CCAC) on Chios hosted 532 individuals. A wildfire in late June forced evacuation of all residents to a stadium in Chios town, where they spent the night under challenging conditions. The CCAC has not reopened, pending damage assessment. Camp Evictions and Housing Crisis In May 2025, a verbal order from the Ministry of Migration and Asylum instructed the eviction of all recognised refugees and rejected asylum seekers from CCACs. Notices were issued with little warning and without support for alternative housing. Civil society reported increasing homelessness and a lack of viable alternatives. The Helios+ programme, launched in late May, remains in early stages, is underfunded and access to this programme remains complicated. Interpreter Services As of July 2025, interpreter services within the Greek Asylum Service remain severely disrupted. The primary provider, METAdrasi, suspended operations in May 2024 due to prolonged payment delays by the Ministry of Migration and Asylum. Although the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) temporarily deployed interpreters, this support was significantly reduced by September 2024, leading to persistent shortages. Consequently, asylum seekers face postponed interviews and limited access to essential services, with no official updates on the reinstatement of comprehensive interpretation services. The availability and quality of interpreter services has profound implications for asylum seekers. Without competent and consistent interpretation, asylum seekers struggle to communicate effectively during asylum procedures, leading to delays in processing claims and increased vulnerability. This communication barrier exacerbates the challenges faced by asylum seekers, hindering their access to protection and essential services. Cash Assistance Programme Resumed in May 2025 for asylum seekers, covering back payments from July 2024 to March 2025. However, coverage post-April 2025 remains uncertain, with eligibility issues due to administrative delays. The lack of cash assistance since June 2024 has intensified the hardships endured by asylum seekers. The suspension of monthly financial allowances left many without the means to meet basic needs, increasing the risk of homelessness and exploitation.
The Mobile Info Team (MIT) has documented these impacts, highlighting the urgent need for the reinstatement of financial support to uphold the dignity and rights of asylum seekers. Failure to address these issues perpetuates a cycle of vulnerability and undermines Greece's obligations under international and European human rights law. Proposed Legislative Changes on Returns A draft law under consultation proposes extending detention of undocumented individuals up to 24 months and abolishing humanitarian permits. Political Development: New Minister for Migration and Asylum On June 30, 2025, Thanos Plevris, a hard-right lawmaker, was sworn in as Greece's new Minister for Migration and Asylum. He replaced Makis Voridis, who was appointed as recently as January 2025 as part of a ministerial reshuffle, and who has resigned amid allegations of involvement in a European Union farm subsidy fraud. Thanos Plevris is known for his tough stance on migration and is expected to maintain Greece's stringent migration policies. Economic Development The Greek economy is projected to grow by 2.2% in 2025, supported by sustained consumption and EU-funded investment growth. Inflation is expected to moderate to 2.3% by 2026. (economy-finance.ec.europa.eu) In response to economic challenges, the government has announced a 1 billion support package for renters, vulnerable citizens, and public investments. (grekodom.com) ASsIST Services Under Pressure Essential services-such as healthcare, legal aid, and even basic food and accommodation-are overwhelmed, and in many locations, practically inaccessible. In this vacuum, ASsIST provides a critical lifeline. We offer multilingual information, referrals, and legal support to help people navigate the complex asylum process and connect to whatever limited services remain available. Our Team's Challenges As conditions deteriorate, our work becomes more urgent-but also harder to sustain. Like many non-profits, ASsIST.CH faces an increasingly competitive and shrinking pool of international funding, as donors respond to multiple crises across the Middle East and Africa. To adapt, we have reduced overhead costs significantly, pursued cost-sharing partnerships, and redoubled our fundraising efforts. Still, securing sustainable funding remains both a significant challenge and an essential priority.
Our most difficult challenge is to raise sufficient funds to retain the services of our Greek lawyers. Your Support Makes It Possible Your generosity in our forthcoming campaign, July Bonus Day on 16/17 July 2025, will support us to continue our work. Every donation, no matter the amount, goes directly to providing free legal and information services to people seeking safety and justice. Every dollar, every euro, every cent counts. 100% of your donations fund free, multilingual legal and information services for asylum seekers in Greece. Together we can make justice accessible to those who need it most-and keep hope alive for people in urgent need of protection. In solidarity ASsIST - Asylum Seekers Information Services Team
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