check the facts - the truth about illegal migration
NEWS
6,553 returns in the first half of the year - fight against migrant smuggling continues
September 2024
On August 7, 2024, Minister of Interior Gerhard Karner, Elisabeth Wenger-Donig, Head of Directorate V/B at the Ministry of the Interior and Karoline Preißer, Deputy Director of The Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum, presented the “return statistics” for the first half of 2024 and shared insights into future priorities for fighting the crime of migrant smuggling and asylum abuse.
Austria is successfully resisting the international trend in illegal migration
July 2024
In June 2024, 1,835 asylum applications were submitted in Austria, a decrease of 64 percent.
IOM: 2023 was the deadliest year for migrants
March 2024
According to the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM), 2023 emerged as the deadliest year for migrants since 2014, witnessing nearly 8,600 fatalities worldwide. This represented a tragic increase of 20 percent compared to the preceding year 2022.
Austrian-Italian cooperation in combating migrant smuggling
March 2024
Austrian Federal Minister of Interior Gerhard Karner met his Italian counterpart Matteo Piantedosi for a working meeting in Vienna on 27 March 2024. The agenda of their discussions focused on combating human smuggling and addressing asylum misuse.
Karner: 2023 was the “Year of returns”
February 2024
Minister of Interior Gerhard Karner said at a press conference in Vienna on 21 March 2024 that in 2023 more people were returned than ever before in the history of the Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum (12,900 people).
188 migrant smugglers arrested in Hungary as part of Operation Fox
January 2024
Since December 2022, 188 smugglers have been arrested in Hungary as part of Operation Fox with the involvement of Austrian police officers.
Austrian police officers provide support with drones in Serbia
December 2023
Police officers from Austria are helping to strengthen border protection measures on the Serbian-North Macedonian border. Federal Minister of the Interior Gerhard Karner expresses his gratitude to the deployed police officers.
Tunisia makes significant progress in border protection
November 2023
Austrian Federal Minister of the Interior Gerhard Karner opened the new training center for Tunisian border guards in Nefta during a working visit to Tunisia on 17th of November 2023. The migration situation was on the agenda during the working meeting with the Tunisian Minister of the Interior.
Significant increase in the number of returns in 2023
November 2023
The number of refugees leaving Austria has risen significantly. In comparison, there were 25 percent more returns in 2023, while asylum applications fell by almost 50 percent.
Austria organised Dublin charter-return operation to Bulgaria
41 migrants killed in shipwreck off Italy's Lampedusa Island
August 2023
A new tragedy has occurred off the coast of Lampedusa. Forty-one migrants have died in a shipwreck off the Italian island of Lampedusa, survivors told local media.
More than 100 people smugglers arrested in Frontex-led operation
July 2023
On 23 June - 3 July, Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, led an international operation against serious and organised cross-border crime in Central and South Eastern Europe together with Austrian authorities.
€16.5 Million EU Humanitarian Aid for Pakistan's Most Vulnerable
July 2023
The Commission allocates €16.5 million to aid vulnerable individuals affected by conflict and climate disasters in Pakistan.
Illegal Migration from India: Consistent returns
June 2023
Currently, the recognition rate for asylum applications from Indians in Austria is 0 percent. Austria is leading internationally in organizing FRONTEX charter return-operations.
Austria organised Dublin charter-return operation to Bulgaria
Austria deports Iraqis to Baghdad
April 2023
Two convicted Iraqis, a 28-year-old man and his 30-year-old cousin, were deported to their home country by the Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum on April 14 and 15, 2023.
Serious boat accident in Italy
Interior ministers of Austria and Morocco fight against human smuggling mafia
March 2023
On February 28, 2023, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner met his Moroccan counterpart, Abdelouafi Laftit, in Rabat (Morocco). The talks focused on an agreement on increased cooperation in the fight against the international smuggling mafia and faster repatriation of Moroccan citizens who are staying illegally in Austria.
Austria organised Dublin Charter-return operation to Romania and Bulgaria
November 2022
7 persons transferred to Romania and Bulgaria under the Dublin III Regulation.
Austria participates in FRONTEX charter operation to Nigeria
Austria organized Europe's first FRONTEX charter to India
October 2022
19 Indian nationals were handed over from Austria to the authorities in Delhi.
Emergency aid from Austria for the flood victims in Pakistan
September 2022
As a direct reaction to the acute plight of the Pakistani population, the Austrian government decided to pay out two million euros from the Foreign Disaster Fund (AKF) to deal with the flood disaster in Pakistan.
Measures against illegal migrant smuggling continue consistently
September 2022
After a trafficking accident, measures against illegal migrants smuggling continue consistently.
Two smugglers arrested
August 2022
In Burgenland, two smuggling operations were stopped as part of a focal action.
Providing aid on the ground: Seven million euros in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan
July 2022
Following a devastating earthquake, the Austrian government supports aid organisations on the ground
More and more migrants die at sea and in the desert
Special action against illegal migrant smuggling
441 migrant smugglers arrested
Syrian migrant smuggler sentenced to ten years in prison
April 2022
A 41-year-old Syrian was sentenced to an unconditional prison term of ten months for smuggling on 11.04.2022 at the Feldkirch Regional Court.
Austria participates in FRONTEX-charter operation to Pakistan
Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan: EU to provide 113 million euros in humanitarian aid
March 2022
At the donor conference for Afghanistan on 31 March 2022, the European Commission announced 113 million euros in EU humanitarian aid for the Afghan people.
Austria organised Dublin Charter-return operation to Romania and Bulgaria
February 2022
10 persons were transferred to Romania and Bulgaria under the Dublin III Regulation
Austria participates in FRONTEX-charter operation to Bangladesh
January 2022
4 Bangladeshi nationals from Austria were handed over to authorities in Dhaka
Austrian police officers make important contribution to the protection of the EU’s external borders
January 2022
On 11 January 2022, Minister of the Interior Gerhard Karner deployed 18 police officers to the Hungarian-Serbian border.
Austria organised Dublin Charter-return operation to Bulgaria
Austrian police assist in monitoring the EU's external borders
Charter-operation to Albania and Kosovo carried out by FRONTEX
November 2021
Two Albanian and three Kosovar nationals were handed over from Austria to the authorities in Tirana and Pristina.
Humanitarian aid for Afghans on the ground: an immediate need
October 2021
The Austrian Government adopts an € 18 million emergency aid package for Afghanistan
144 people smugglers arrested in Frontex-led operation
September 2021
On 3-13 September, Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, led an international operation against serious and organised cross-border crime in Central and South Eastern Europe together with Austrian authorities.
Ten foreign nationals transferred to Romania
August 2021
Five Syrian, four Afghan nationals and one Moroccan national were handed over to the authorities in Bucharest on August 17, 2021. They were foreign nationals who had received a final negative asylum decision.
backcheck the facts - the truth about illegal migration
NEWS
IOM: 2023 was the deadliest year for migrants
March 2024
According to the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM), 2023 emerged as the deadliest year for migrants since 2014, witnessing nearly 8,600 fatalities worldwide. This represented a tragic increase of 20 percent compared to the preceding year 2022.
Austrian-Italian cooperation in combating migrant smuggling
March 2024
Austrian Federal Minister of Interior Gerhard Karner met his Italian counterpart Matteo Piantedosi for a working meeting in Vienna on 27 March 2024. The agenda of their discussions focused on combating human smuggling and addressing asylum misuse.
Karner: 2023 was the “Year of returns”
February 2024
Minister of Interior Gerhard Karner said at a press conference in Vienna on 21 March 2024 that in 2023 more people were returned than ever before in the history of the Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum (12,900 people).
188 migrant smugglers arrested in Hungary as part of Operation Fox
January 2024
Since December 2022, 188 smugglers have been arrested in Hungary as part of Operation Fox with the involvement of Austrian police officers.
Austrian police officers provide support with drones in Serbia
December 2023
Police officers from Austria are helping to strengthen border protection measures on the Serbian-North Macedonian border. Federal Minister of the Interior Gerhard Karner expresses his gratitude to the deployed police officers.
Tunisia makes significant progress in border protection
November 2023
Austrian Federal Minister of the Interior Gerhard Karner opened the new training center for Tunisian border guards in Nefta during a working visit to Tunisia on 17th of November 2023. The migration situation was on the agenda during the working meeting with the Tunisian Minister of the Interior.
Significant increase in the number of returns in 2023
November 2023
The number of refugees leaving Austria has risen significantly. In comparison, there were 25 percent more returns in 2023, while asylum applications fell by almost 50 percent.
Austria organised Dublin charter-return operation to Bulgaria
41 migrants killed in shipwreck off Italy's Lampedusa Island
August 2023
A new tragedy has occurred off the coast of Lampedusa. Forty-one migrants have died in a shipwreck off the Italian island of Lampedusa, survivors told local media.
More than 100 people smugglers arrested in Frontex-led operation
July 2023
On 23 June - 3 July, Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, led an international operation against serious and organised cross-border crime in Central and South Eastern Europe together with Austrian authorities.
€16.5 Million EU Humanitarian Aid for Pakistan's Most Vulnerable
July 2023
The Commission allocates €16.5 million to aid vulnerable individuals affected by conflict and climate disasters in Pakistan.
Illegal Migration from India: Consistent returns
June 2023
Currently, the recognition rate for asylum applications from Indians in Austria is 0 percent. Austria is leading internationally in organizing FRONTEX charter return-operations.
Austria organised Dublin charter-return operation to Bulgaria
Austria deports Iraqis to Baghdad
April 2023
Two convicted Iraqis, a 28-year-old man and his 30-year-old cousin, were deported to their home country by the Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum on April 14 and 15, 2023.
Serious boat accident in Italy
Interior ministers of Austria and Morocco fight against human smuggling mafia
March 2023
On February 28, 2023, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner met his Moroccan counterpart, Abdelouafi Laftit, in Rabat (Morocco). The talks focused on an agreement on increased cooperation in the fight against the international smuggling mafia and faster repatriation of Moroccan citizens who are staying illegally in Austria.
Austria organised Dublin Charter-return operation to Romania and Bulgaria
November 2022
7 persons transferred to Romania and Bulgaria under the Dublin III Regulation.
Austria participates in FRONTEX charter operation to Nigeria
Austria organized Europe's first FRONTEX charter to India
October 2022
19 Indian nationals were handed over from Austria to the authorities in Delhi.
Emergency aid from Austria for the flood victims in Pakistan
September 2022
As a direct reaction to the acute plight of the Pakistani population, the Austrian government decided to pay out two million euros from the Foreign Disaster Fund (AKF) to deal with the flood disaster in Pakistan.
Measures against illegal migrant smuggling continue consistently
September 2022
After a trafficking accident, measures against illegal migrants smuggling continue consistently.
Two smugglers arrested
August 2022
In Burgenland, two smuggling operations were stopped as part of a focal action.
Providing aid on the ground: Seven million euros in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan
July 2022
Following a devastating earthquake, the Austrian government supports aid organisations on the ground
More and more migrants die at sea and in the desert
Special action against illegal migrant smuggling
Austria participates in FRONTEX-charter operation to Pakistan
Austria participates in FRONTEX-charter operation to Pakistan
Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan: EU to provide 113 million euros in humanitarian aid
March 2021
At the donor conference for Afghanistan on 31 March 2022, the European Commission announced 113 million euros in EU humanitarian aid for the Afghan people.
Austria organised Dublin Charter-return operation to Romania and Bulgaria
February 2022
10 persons were transferred to Romania and Bulgaria under the Dublin III Regulation
Austria participates in FRONTEX-charter operation to Bangladesh
January 2022
4 Bangladeshi nationals from Austria were handed over to authorities in Dhaka
Austrian police officers make important contribution to the protection of the EU’s external borders
January 2022
On 11 January 2022, Minister of the Interior Gerhard Karner deployed 18 police officers to the Hungarian-Serbian border.
Austria organised Dublin Charter-return operation to Bulgaria
Austrian police assist in monitoring the EU's external borders
Charter-operation to Albania and Kosovo carried out by FRONTEX
November 2021
Two Albanian and three Kosovar nationals were handed over from Austria to the authorities in Tirana and Pristina.
Humanitarian aid for Afghans on the ground: an immediate need
October 2021
The Austrian Government adopts an € 18 million emergency aid package for Afghanistan
144 people smugglers arrested in Frontex-led operation
September 2021
On 3-13 September, Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, led an international operation against serious and organised cross-border crime in Central and South Eastern Europe together with Austrian authorities.
Ten foreign nationals transferred to Romania
August 2021
Five Syrian, four Afghan nationals and one Moroccan national were handed over to the authorities in Bucharest on August 17, 2021. They were foreign nationals who had received a final negative asylum decision.