Democracy Dies in Darkness

On migration, Greece takes a Trumpian turn

For Greece, a gateway into the 27-member European Union, the lengthy incarceration of irregular migrants could soon be the new norm.

August 22, 2025 at 5:00 a.m. EDTToday at 5:00 a.m. EDT

9 min

Migrants are gathered by Greek coast guard officers after disembarking from a cargo ship in the port of Lavrio last month. (Aris Messinis/AFP/Getty Images)

By Anthony Faiola

Elinda Labropoulou

and

Mohamad El Chamaa

AMYGDALEZA, Greece — Decrying an “invasion” of illegal migrants — and praising the crackdown in the United States under President Donald Trump — Greek authorities are unfurling one of the most radical plans in Europe to stamp out irregular migration.

By Anthony Faiola

Anthony Faiola is Rome Bureau Chief for The Washington Post. Since joining the paper in 1994, he has served as bureau chief in Miami, Berlin, London, Tokyo, Buenos Aires and New York and additionally worked as roving correspondent at large. @Anthony_Faiola

By Mohamad El Chamaa

Mohamad El Chamaa is a Beirut-based researcher and reporter for The Washington Post, covering Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, and the Gulf. An urban planner by training, he previously worked on housing in post-disaster events and was a features reporter for L’Orient Today.

On migration, Greece takes a Trumpian turn

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