1,391 third country nationals were found to be living in Malta illegally and subsequently deported during 2023, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri said in Parliament on Monday.

Nationalist Party MP Joe Giglio asked Camilleri how many immigrants were saved by the Armed Forces of Malta during 2023. He also asked where these immigrants are now.

Minister Camilleri replied that in 2023, 380 irregular immigrants were saved, with of those being repatriated back to their countries. He added that another 159 irregular immigrants were relocated to other European Union member states during this same period.

He said that these statistics mean that more irregular immigrants left Malta than arrived on the island during 2023.

Camilleri said that in addition to this, 1,391 third country nationals were found living in Malta irregularly and were deported to their country of origin or “some other country where they are authorised to stay.”

Camilleri said that this work did not begin in 2023 and that it started because the government was not satisfied with the status quo on irregular immigration. He said that this is why a number of decisions “including legislative changes” were taken so that the system of irregular immigration becomes more solid and just, both locally and on an international level.

Close work was done with other countries, he said, including with the countries of origin and transit countries to reduce the number of irregular arrivals and prevent the loss of life at sea. He continued that changes were made to have a just system with those who “deserve protection” but remain hard with those who do not have a right to reside in our country.

He credited this work being possible to legislative changes and investments, including the creation of the International Protection Agency and the Returns Unit within his ministry.