Lesbos, once a place of hope for thousands of migrants, has changed. The Greek island that welcomed people fleeing war and poverty is now part of a stricter European plan to control migration. While some migrants still arrive, they now face patrols, fences, and fewer people willing to help them.
In 2015, many people on Lesbos helped migrants without fear. One local fisherman, Thanos Marmarinos, rescued women and children from sinking boats. Today, helping migrants in such a way could get him arrested. Greece has made strict laws that punish people for helping migrants who arrive without permission.
Back then, nearly a million people crossed through Greece in a single year. Today, the number of arrivals is much lower. In 2023, about 11,200 migrants came to Lesbos. The island is now more focused on tourism. Cafes are full, and tourists enjoy the beaches. The Greek government says the migrant crisis is over.
But for many migrants, the danger is still very real. In April, an Iranian man lost his wife when their boat sank near Lesbos. He says the coastguard watched for a while before trying to help. The Greek authorities say they did rescue people and deny ignoring migrants in danger. Still, rights groups say pushbacks and poor treatment are happening.
Since 2016, when the EU made a deal with Turkey to stop migration, Greece has taken on more responsibility. Many migrants are now stuck in Greece longer. Camps on the islands filled up, and tensions grew. People living on Lesbos started to feel tired of the pressure.
A new migrant camp was built with fences and cameras. It looks more like a prison than a shelter. Activists are no longer allowed inside easily, and lawyers and journalists have limited access. People fear that the system is becoming less open and more secretive.
Locals who once helped migrants now worry about breaking the law. Some say the new rules have made them afraid. Others support the changes, saying that the island can’t handle large numbers of migrants anymore.
Lesbos is now a symbol of how Europe has changed its approach. From a place of refuge, it has become a guarded gate. Migrants still arrive, but the welcome they once received is now gone. The island stands at the front line of a Europe that wants to close its doors.