Buğra Gökce reveals the number of foreigners in Turkey! 'More than the population of Bulgaria'

IMM Deputy Secretary General Buğra Gökce stated that it is estimated there are 2-3 million irregular migrants in Turkey, adding, "When this figure is added to the current number of foreigners, it appears that approximately 8 million foreigners are living in Turkey. In other words, the foreign population living in Turkey has exceeded the entire population of Bulgaria."

"THE POPULATION OF LEGALLY RESIDING FOREIGNERS IS LARGER THAN THE POPULATION OF IZMIR"

IMM Deputy Secretary General Buğra Gökce stated that at least 4 million 924 thousand 233 foreigners are living in Turkey with legal permits. Gökce said, "The total population of foreigners legally residing in Turkey is larger than the population of Izmir."

Gökce warned, "If rational and scientific policies are not implemented against the migrant and refugee crisis, Turkey will face a serious threat of security and demographic change in addition to food and housing crises."

In a statement on his X account, Gökce expressed the following:

"At least 4 million 924 thousand 233 foreigners are living in Turkey with legal permits.

According to the current data of the Presidency of Migration Management, while 3 million 246 thousand 178 foreigners are living in Turkey under 'temporary protection' status and 33 thousand 246 foreigners under 'international protection' status, 1 million 122 thousand 468 people continue their lives in Turkey with residence permits.

According to 2021 data from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, 168 thousand 103 people hold 'work permits,' while according to activity reports published by the Ministry of Interior between 2016 and 2021, it is seen that citizenship was granted to 354 thousand 238 people.

The total population of foreigners legally residing in Turkey is larger than the population of Izmir. If these foreigners lived in a single place, that city would be Turkey's third-largest city.

The average household size in Turkey is 3.17. If it is assumed that foreigners have the same ratio, foreigners are using a total of 1 million 518 thousand 462 housing units across Turkey.

The number of irregular migrants in Turkey is unknown. According to the data of the Presidency of Migration Management, 1 million 243 thousand 883 irregular migrants have been apprehended between 2019 and 2023.

Not all apprehended irregular migrants are deported. Those apprehended are first sent to Removal Centers under the Ministry of Interior. Here, contact is made with the representatives of the countries of which they are citizens, and a deportation decision is taken according to the assessment of the authorities. The deportation decision of some migrants who appeal by taking the decision to the judiciary can be canceled. In this case, irregular migrants continue to stay in Turkey.

Although the exact number of irregular migrants is not known, experts estimate it to be between 2-3 million. When this figure is added to the current number of foreigners, it appears that approximately 8 million foreigners are living in Turkey. In other words, the foreign population living in Turkey has exceeded the entire population of Bulgaria.

According to the report published by the World Bank in April this year, there are 184 million migrants in the world today. 37 million of these migrants are in refugee status. According to the Zurich Institute, it is stated that 1.2 billion people could be climate migrants by 2050. If rational and scientific policies are not implemented against the migrant and refugee crisis, Turkey will face a serious threat of security and demographic change in addition to food and housing crises.

All of our cities' local governments also need to produce policies suitable for the demographic, cultural, and spatial changes taking place. The steps to be taken in the field of infrastructure and superstructure will determine the historical and cultural texture of our cities, and the ecological destruction that climate change will create also expects us to take precautions now. We need to act in the light of reason and science now."

??At least 4 million 924 thousand 233 foreigners are living in Turkey with legal permits.

?? According to the current data of the Presidency of Migration Management, while 3 million 246 thousand 178 foreigners are living in Turkey under "temporary protection" status and 33 thousand 246 foreigners under "international protection" status, 1 million 122 thousand 468 people continue their lives in Turkey with residence… pic.twitter.com/ObV7FnDXt1

— Dr. Buğra Gökce (@gokcebugra) November 27, 2023

News Source: 12punto