22nd May 2025
22nd May 2025
Number of accompaniments increased
The new report of the Department of Accompanying Services shows a summary of the department’s tasks for 2023 and 2024.
The department’s tasks changed considerably in the autumn of 2023 with the entry into force of the new Act on Foreigners and an increase in the staff.
The number of people with a escort increased between years by 92% and went from 156 in 2023 to 299 in 2024. There is also a certain group of people who need to be ensured to leave the country but do not need a escort, this group counted 60 people in 2023 and 70 people in 2024.
Types of requests for work
Most of those who are escorted abroad are former applicants for international protection. The number of those who are escorted abroad increased by 86% between years. 231 individuals were escorted abroad in 2024 compared to 124 the previous year.
The increase was significantly higher in the group of people who stay in Iceland illegally, or 133% between years, with 36 individuals in 2023 and 84 in 2024.
Origin and destination
The nationality and destination of the person who is under coercion is often different. This is mainly explained by the fact that the person has the right to stay in another place or that another European country is responsible for processing an application for protection.