Libya’s Department for Combating Illegal Migration recently deported thirteen migrants, citing violations of Libyan laws. The deported individuals included seven Nigerians, three Bangladeshis, and three Ghanaians. These migrants had been held at the Qanfoudah Immigration Detention Centre, located in the country, before authorities decided to send them back to their home countries.
The deportation took place via Benina International Airport in Benghazi, Libya. According to Migrant Rescue Watch, a group that monitors migrant safety, these deportations were carried out to enforce Libya’s immigration laws. Migrant Rescue Watch confirmed the action in a statement on its social media account, X, where it shared details about the deported group and the specific airport used for their transportation.
The statement from Migrant Rescue Watch was clear about the reasons for deportation. It read, “DCIM has deported 13 migrants (3 Bangladeshis, 3 Ghanaians, and 7 Nigerians) from the Qanfoudah Immigration Detention Centre via Benina International Airport in Benghazi. All individuals were deported for violating laws in force in the Libyan state.” The use of the Qanfoudah Detention Centre and Benina Airport indicates that Libya is closely managing how it handles migrant issues.
Libya has faced ongoing challenges with irregular migration, as the country is often used as a transit point for migrants aiming to reach Europe. Over the years, thousands of migrants have traveled through Libya, sometimes risking their lives to cross the Mediterranean Sea. This heavy flow of migrants has put a strain on Libya’s resources, prompting authorities to increase deportation efforts to manage migrant populations and reduce the burden on detention centers.
The deportation of the migrants underlines Libya’s strict stance on migration laws. Authorities have been focused on upholding legal frameworks to control the entry, stay, and exit of foreigners within their borders. The Department for Combating Illegal Migration is actively involved in ensuring that individuals who do not have legal documentation or have broken local laws are sent back to their countries of origin.
The deported group included a mix of individuals from Nigeria, Bangladesh, and Ghana, highlighting the diversity of nationalities that make up the migrant population in Libya. While some migrants enter Libya with hopes of better opportunities, many are detained if they are found without proper documentation or found to have broken the law. Deportation, in many cases, is used as a last measure after migrants have been held in detention.
Migrant Rescue Watch, which tracks and advocates for the safety of migrants worldwide, often sheds light on these deportations and the reasons behind them. For those deported, returning to their countries means facing a new set of challenges as they adjust back to life at home after their detention experiences.
With Libya’s continued focus on immigration control, this recent deportation serves as a reminder of the country’s stance on undocumented migration. Libyan authorities are likely to continue their efforts to manage irregular migration, aiming to reduce the number of migrants using Libya as a gateway to other destinations.