The Workers Rights 
Migrants in Tunisia are under mounting pressure to depart as authorities tighten measures against irregular migration and informal migrant settlements. Humanitarian organisations and rights groups have reported allegations of arbitrary detention, forced displacement, discrimination and difficult living conditions in several areas used by migrants seeking work or trying to reach Europe.
The situation has led to a rise in assisted returns via the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). Reports on the issue cited figures that show more than 4,900 migrants had been repatriated during the first eight months of 2026 through the organisation’s Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration program. The increase has rekindled debate over whether departures can be considered truly voluntary when migrants confront harsh restrictions and insecurity.
Tunisia’s Response To Migration Has Been Shaped By Political Pressure
The Tunisian migration policy has become increasingly restrictive, in keeping with political rhetoric and security measures targeting irregular migration. President Kais Saied has previously called for the removal of large numbers of sub-Saharan migrants, leading to heightened political and public debate about migration and border control.
Security operations have especially affected migrant communities in places like Sfax and El Amra, which have become key locations along Mediterranean migration routes. Reports say informal camps have been dismantled and destroyed, leaving displaced migrants without stable housing and more reliant on humanitarian aid.
Main Migration Pressure Points: Sfax And El Amra Turn Into
Sfax, on the Mediterranean and close to the routes taken to cross to Europe, is one of the main centres of Tunisia’s migration challenge. Migrants have congregated in and around the city, looking for work, shelter or ways to continue their journeys across the sea.
El Amra has also been under considerable pressure as migrant communities have been displaced from other areas. Following reports of security operations and the destruction of informal settlements, concerns have been raised about access to shelter, food, water and medical support for people who already live in precarious circumstances.
Reported conditions include problems finding work and housing, restrictions on movement and encounters with security forces, and migrants without regular immigration status may encounter additional barriers, as they may find it harder to access legal and administrative protections.
Pressure On NGOs Cuts Support For Migrant Communities
The migration situation has developed in tandem with increasing pressure on civil society organisations working in Tunisia. Rights groups have documented the arrests of activists and legal action against those who help migrants without legal status.
The restrictions have impacted organisations providing humanitarian assistance, legal support and documentation. Civil society space restrictions may prevent migrants from reporting alleged abuses, accessing medical services or obtaining information on their legal options.
The Debate Is Fuelled By EU Migration Cooperation
European migration policy has become intimately tied to how Tunisia is managing border control. The EU has provided significant financial support for migration management within the framework of a strategic partnership with Tunisia, including support related to the Tunisian Coast Guard and preventing irregular crossings over the Mediterranean.
The arrangement is part of a broader European strategy to stem irregular migration before people reach EU territory. By supporting partner countries such as Tunisia, European authorities can strengthen border management and maritime interception capabilities outside the borders of the EU.
For migrants already living in precarious conditions, repeated interceptions can create a cycle of departure attempts and subsequent detention, displacement or renewed pressure to return home. This has brought greater focus to the availability of safe and legal migration pathways.
Assisted Returns Raise Questions About Voluntary Choice
The IOM also assists migrants to return to their countries of origin through the Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration program. Such programs are designed to offer a structured alternative to irregular migration and may include reintegration support upon arrival.
But rights groups have questioned if the word voluntary fully covers departures taking place under highly restrictive conditions. For migrants who face homelessness, unemployment, restricted freedom of movement and continual police pressure, return may be the only realistic option they have.
Tunisia’s Migration Policy In The Face Of Humanitarian And Regional Challenges
Tunisia’s migration challenges are directly linked to broader instability in North Africa and the Mediterranean. The country is a destination for migrants seeking employment and a key transit point for those attempting to reach Europe, creating complex responsibilities for authorities managing borders and domestic migration.
The growing number of assisted returns from Tunisia has shed new light on the situation of migrants prior to departure. Organised return programs can provide a route home for those who decide to leave, but rights organisations say meaningful choice requires protection from abuse, access to basic services and the ability to consider alternatives.
The situation also highlights the necessity of independent humanitarian monitoring. Proper monitoring can help document allegations of mistreatment, assess detention conditions, and ensure the non-return of people requiring international protection to situations where there are serious risks.
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