Tunisian National Guard announced on Monday the thwarting of 751 attempts to cross maritime borders during the first four months of the current year, compared to 756 border crossing attempts during the same period last year, indicating that 21,545 illegal migrants were rescued compared to 17,576 during the same period.
In a statement on its official page today, the National Guard stated that 1,967 attempts to cross land borders were thwarted during the period from January to April 2024, compared to 686 attempts to cross land borders during the same period in 2023. The number of infiltrators apprehended heading towards Tunisia during the mentioned period reached 21,462 illegal migrants compared to 5,256 illegal migrants in the first 4 months of 2023.
The National Guard clarified that units also succeeded in apprehending 529 organizers and brokers of illegal migration operations by sea and land, compared to 203 organizers and brokers during the same period, adding that necessary legal measures were taken against them. They also mentioned the retrieval of 291 bodies during the first 4 months of 2024, compared to retrieving 572 bodies during the same period last year.
The issue of illegal immigration in Tunisia has evolved significantly, especially since the 2011 revolution. Post-revolution Tunisia has witnessed shifts in its political landscape, affecting its migration policies. Despite greater freedoms and transparency, Tunisia’s securitized migration policies have largely remained unchanged. This is due to a combination of factors: the need to democratically legitimize policies, contradictory dynamics within the Tunisian state, external demands for migration control, and equivocal transnational dynamics influenced by European migration policy. The democratization process has not fundamentally altered the security priorities of Tunisia’s Interior Ministry and European external actors, particularly regarding immigration. Additionally, there isn’t a clear majority within Tunisian society to politicize immigration issues through a human rights lens.
The Tunisian coast, particularly the region around Sfax, has become a significant departure point for illegal immigrants trying to reach Europe, specifically the Italian island of Lampedusa. Tunisian security authorities recently launched a campaign in Sfax to address the issue of illegal immigration. In a specific operation, Tunisia’s maritime guard foiled 88 illegal immigration attempts over three days, rescuing 1,131 illegal immigrants from sinking during the operations. Among these immigrants, 543 were of various African nationalities, with the rest being Tunisian nationals. This operation reflects the ongoing efforts by Tunisian authorities to curb the surge in illegal immigration, which has been a significant concern for both Tunisia and the European Union
