Mayor announces migrant reception center

A reception center for illegal immigrants will be built in the broader area around central Athens Mayor Giorgos Kaminis announced Friday following a meeting with Public Order and Citizens’ Protection Minister Nikos Dendias.

Kaminis said the creation of such a center within the geographical boundaries of the City of Athens was aimed at rejuvenating the crisis-hit city and strengthening social cohesion. The unchecked influx of unregistered immigrants is seen as contributing to crime in Athens.

“We need urgent moves to enhance the people’s feeling of security,” said Kaminis, who has been at the helm of the city since 2010.

The creation of these centers, Kaminis said, will hopefully set an example for other municipalities that have been reluctant to host similar facilities.

Dendias said the measure was necessary to discourage clandestine immigrants from entering the country.

Ekathimerini.com