North Cyprus Migration Management Center officially opened - 7,000 individuals deported

The North Cyprus Ministry of Interior has officially opened the Migration Management Center, along with the delivery of six mobile migration vehicles.

Following the opening, a Security Cooperation Agreement was signed between the TRNC and the Republic of Türkiye, with the participation of TRNC Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, Interior Minister Dursun Oğuz and his Turkish counterpart Ali Yerlikaya.

Interior Minister Oğuz emphasized that the center will play a key role in combatting irregular migration, identifying public order threats, collecting biometric data, and coordinating deportation processes with Türkiye.

For the first time, criminal biometric data will be used to register foreigners in the TRNC, streamlining work, residence, and student permit processes.

Turkish Minister Yerlikaya highlighted the center as a strategic step and a symbol of TRNC–Türkiye cooperation, stressing support for TRNC’s border security and fight against human trafficking.

He credited President Tatar’s leadership for the success of the migration policy and stated that the TRNC would no longer be a target or transit country for irregular migration.

Prime Minister Üstel underlined that promises made by his government were being fulfilled and that public security reforms were ongoing in coordination with Türkiye. He noted that around 7,000 individuals had been deported and efforts were underway to register approximately 40,000 third-country workers.

President Tatar also spoke at the event, saying that the new center and mobile vehicles would contribute significantly to both national security and the proper registration of foreigners in the country.

He highlighted the importance of sharing experience and information with Türkiye and noted that the TRNC continues to grow in tourism, education, and other sectors.

Tatar added that these efforts will help the TRNC move forward with confidence, despite provocations from the Greek Cypriot side, and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to democracy, sovereignty, and international law.