Greece’s Migration Ministry staff trained by US Homeland Security officers

Service staff of Greece’s Migration & Asylum Ministry are in a process of being briefed and trained by United States officials of relevant services, in order to utilize innovative practices to step up the deportations of illegal migrants, the Ministry in Athens said on Friday.

The initiative is implemented following a decision by Migration & Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris.

According to the ministry, contacts between the relevant Greek and US services officially began on March 27, with the first briefing seminar. This is part of a greater framework of cooperation to manage issues related to illegal migration.

At the seminar, US officials presented the digital application Customs Border Protection Home (CBP Home), which is used by American authorities for deportation procedures. As the statement noted, the app contributes to dignified and voluntary returns, boosting the effectiveness of relevant procedures.

The Migration & Asylum Ministry underlined that its own intention and that of the Greek government is to further strengthen and expand cooperation with the US.

This cooperation is expected to be expanded “in other critical sectors of illegal migration management, with a particular emphasis on protecting borders and strengthening citizens’ sense of safety.”

US embassy post

US Homeland Security officials briefed Greek Migration & Asylum Ministry officials on CBP Home, a free app that helps migrants’ self-deportation, the US Embassy in Greece said in a social media post on Friday.

In a post on X, the embassy said, “The United States and Greece are working together to keep our communities safe and protect our borders. Today, Homeland Security experts briefed Greek Migration & Asylum officials on CBP Home, a free mobile application that supports dignified self-deportation. Experts the US and Greece shared best practices for countering illegal immigration and strengthening law enforcement cooperation.”

PS Tell me we’ll see US ICE practices in Greece without telling me we’ll see ICE practices in Greece.

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