Romania's immigration authorities informed InfoMigrants that a total of 916 people from various countries were forcibly deported in the first nine months of this year, with 258 of them being Bangladeshi nationals.
On October 22, Romania's General Inspectorate for Immigration provided InfoMigrants with statistics on migrants deported to their home countries during the first nine months of 2024.
Romania has seen a growing number of migrants passing through its borders en route to wealthier western European countries. Many have traveled via the Balkan route, hoping to enter Hungary and the Schengen zone, where free movement is theoretically allowed.
Others arrived in Romania for work, often with valid visas, but later decided to seek better opportunities in more affluent regions.
As of March 31, 2024, Romania partially joined the Schengen zone. While border controls remain, travelers with proper documentation can now fly out of Romania with fewer checks than in non-Schengen EU nations.
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South Asians top the List
Migrants from South Asian countries topped the list of those forcibly returned. Bangladeshi nationals were the largest group, with 258 individuals sent back to Dhaka.
Sri Lankans ranked second, with 150 citizens deported to Colombo, followed by 148 Nepalis sent to Kathmandu. Pakistan was fourth with 89 deportations, and India was fifth with 48.
Outside of South Asia, 29 Egyptians, 25 Moldovans, 22 Turks and Vietnamese, and 20 Moroccans were also deported during the same period.
An additional 105 deported individuals came from other countries. Romania's immigration authority reported that many deportees initially entered the country with valid work visas but later became irregular migrants after attempting to enter Hungary irregularly.
Romanian authorities issued legal notices urging irregular migrants to return to their home countries. When these were ignored, deportations were enforced, often with Romanian law enforcement escorts.
Under Romania's immigration rules, all forcibly returned individuals are banned from entering EU Member States, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland for five years following their expulsion.
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