Hungarian authorities detained nearly 16,000 illegal migrants and 132 human smugglers in the past year, according to Chief Security Advisor György Bakondi.
Speaking to the TV2 broadcaster, Bakondi noted that while the numbers represent a decrease compared to previous years, the issue remains a significant challenge.
He highlighted an increase in irregular migration through the Balkan route in 2024. Cooperation between Hungarian and Serbian police forces contributed to shifting migrant activity toward Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Slovenia.
Bakondi also criticized the European Union’s migration policy, claiming that persistent challenges related to illegal migration in 2024 validated earlier warnings about the need for policy reform.
