Turkish authorities detained 25,314 Afghan migrants during the first eight months of 2026, according to newly released figures from Turkey’s Directorate General of Migration Management.
The figures show that Afghans were the largest group of undocumented foreign nationals apprehended across Turkey during the period.
The latest data highlight the continued scale of irregular migration involving Afghan nationals, many of whom travel through regional routes in search of safety, employment and better living conditions.
Turkey remains a major transit and destination country for migrants traveling toward Europe. Turkish authorities have increased efforts to identify and detain people staying or entering the country without valid documentation as part of broader measures to control irregular migration.
The detention of more than 25,000 Afghans in just eight months underscores the significant presence of Afghan migrants among undocumented foreign nationals in Turkey.
The figures also come amid ongoing migration pressures from Afghanistan, where economic difficulties, unemployment and humanitarian challenges continue to encourage some people to leave the country.
Turkey’s Directorate General of Migration Management regularly publishes figures on irregular migration and deportations as authorities continue operations against undocumented migration networks and unauthorized border crossings.
The latest statistics provide an indication of the scale of Afghan irregular migration in Turkey during 2026 and underline the continuing challenges faced by both migrants and Turkish authorities in managing migration flows.