Binkılıç Removal Center: Process, Rights, Objection, and Legal Assistance
Binkılıç is one of the removal centers in Istanbul. In addition to Binkılıç, there are also Selimpaşa (Silivri), Arnavutköy (permanent and temporary), Çatalca/İnceğiz, and Tuzla centers across Istanbul.
1) Who Is Referred to the Binkılıç Removal Center (GGM)? “From Which Police Stations Are They Sent?”
Foreign nationals apprehended on the European Side of Istanbul are generally referred to the Binkılıç Removal Center.
Foreigners apprehended by law enforcement units (police, gendarmerie, border security) are taken to the appropriate removal center within 48 hours in line with the planning of the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Migration Management.
Legal Basis:
YUKK Art. 57 – “Foreigners for whom an administrative detention decision has been taken shall be taken to removal centers within 48 hours by the law enforcement unit that made the apprehension.”
In Practice:
Those apprehended on the European Side are mostly referred to removal centers such as Binkılıç, Selimpaşa (Silivri), or Çatalca/İnceğiz.
This distribution is not an official rule; it may vary according to the capacity and security planning of the Migration Management.
2) Why Are Foreign Nationals Kept in Removal Centers?
If a deportation decision has been taken against a person or if the “invitation to leave” process cannot be applied, the person is kept in a removal center under administrative detention.
Grounds for Deportation According to YUKK Art. 54:
• Being a member of a terrorist organization or an organized crime group,
• Posing a threat to public order, security, or health,
• Violating visa or residence periods,
• Entering or leaving Turkey illegally,
• Using forged documents or making false statements,
• Working illegally or aiding human smuggling,
• Persons whose applications for international protection have been rejected,
• Foreigners who have committed acts punishable under Turkish law and completed their sentences,
• Persons without means of subsistence or deemed objectionable in terms of public order.
Duration of administrative detention: As a rule, 6 months, extendable by another 6 months if necessary (maximum 12 months).
3) Services Provided at the Binkılıç Removal Center
Accommodation and health: Basic living, meals, cleaning, and emergency health services are provided.
Meetings with lawyers and relatives: There is a right to confidential meetings with lawyers and a right to contact consular officials.
Use of telephones: Communication with family, lawyer, or consulate can be established via phones in the center.
Clothing and personal needs: Basic needs are met; families may deliver clothing and personal belongings in accordance with the rules set.
4) How Does the Binkılıç Removal Center Process Work?
• Apprehension: The foreigner identified by law enforcement is notified to the Migration Management.
• Transfer: Within 48 hours, the person is taken to the appropriate center (e.g., Binkılıç Removal Center).
• Admission and assessment: Identity, health, and file checks are carried out.
• Administrative detention: The situation of the person placed under detention is assessed.
• Invitation to leave / alternative measures: Alternative measures such as signature obligation or address notification may be applied to those deemed appropriate.
• Right to file a lawsuit: The 7-day period to file a lawsuit starts as soon as the person enters the removal center.
• Deportation procedures: If no lawsuit is filed or if the lawsuit is rejected, the person is sent to their country.
5) What Should a Relative of a Foreign National Do If Their Relative Is in the Binkılıç Removal Center?
• Establish quick communication: The 7-day litigation period is very critical.
• Obtain legal assistance: It is necessary to file an objection to the administrative detention decision and to file a lawsuit against the deportation decision.
• Prepare documents: Submit documents such as passport, identity, residence permit, and family status documents to the lawyer.
• Meetings and deliveries: Obtain information about the current rules of the center for items such as clothing and hygiene products.
6) Legal Remedies and Litigation Periods
Objection to the administrative detention decision: It is filed with the Criminal Judgeship of Peace. The judge decides within 5 days, and the decision is final.
Lawsuit against the deportation decision: A lawsuit must be filed in the relevant court within 7 days.
Alternative measures: Periods of 6 + 6 months and alternatives such as signature/residence can be applied by court decision.
7) Notes About the Binkılıç Removal Center
It is one of the removal centers on the European Side of Istanbul.
There are separate sections for women, men, and children.
There are places of worship, common living areas, and health units.
Visiting days may change periodically; information should be obtained before going to the center.
8) Contact Information (Binkılıç & Istanbul)
Binkılıç Removal Center Address:
It operates under the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Migration Management, in the vicinity of Binkılıç Neighborhood, Çatalca district, Istanbul.
Migration Management Contact Center (YİMER 157):
It is a 24/7 multilingual support line.
9) Conclusion and Recommendations
The Binkılıç Removal Center process is a complex process that combines administrative detention and deportation procedures.
In this process:
• Not missing the 7-day objection period,
• Obtaining professional legal assistance,
• Preparing documents completely,
is of vital importance.
10) Legal Support in the Binkılıç Removal Center Process
If your relative is in the Binkılıç Removal Center or if a deportation process has been initiated, you need to seek support from a specialist immigration lawyer.
As Keleş Law & Consultancy:
• Learning the status of your relative in the Binkılıç Removal Center,
• Objection to the administrative detention decision,
• Annulment lawsuit against the deportation decision,
• Requests for invitation to leave or alternative measures
we provide professional support on these issues.
Phone: +90 551 939 66 88
E-mail: [email protected] | [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions About the Binkılıç Removal Center
- Where is the Binkılıç Removal Center located?
Binkılıç Removal Center is located within the borders of Çatalca district of Istanbul, in the vicinity of Binkılıç Neighborhood. The center is affiliated with the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Migration Management.
- From which police stations are foreigners sent to Binkılıç?
In practice, foreigners apprehended on the European Side of Istanbul are generally referred to the Binkılıç Removal Center (for example, Esenyurt, Avcılar, Büyükçekmece, Arnavutköy, Beylikdüzü, Küçükçekmece, Başakşehir, Fatih, Zeytinburnu, etc.). However, there is no official “police station–center matching list”; the place of referral is determined according to the capacity/logistical planning of the Migration Management.
- Why are foreigners kept in the removal center?
Persons against whom a deportation decision has been taken or for whom an invitation to leave cannot be applied may be kept under administrative detention.
Pursuant to YUKK Arts. 57 and 54; situations such as threats to public order/security, forged documents, violations of visa/residence periods, and risk of absconding/disappearance are among the reasons for administrative detention and deportation.
- For how long is a foreigner sent to Binkılıç?
As a rule, the duration of administrative detention is 6 months, and in necessary cases it can be extended for another 6 months (maximum 12 months).
If a lawsuit is filed within 7 days from entry into the removal center, the deportation process is suspended during the judicial proceedings.
- What are the living conditions in the Binkılıç Removal Center?
Accommodation, subsistence, and basic/emergency health services are provided; clothing and personal hygiene needs can be met by the center or with family support; there are common use areas.
(Health units are available in the removal centers in Istanbul.)
- Is there a right to meet with a lawyer?
Yes. Persons in the Binkılıç Removal Center can meet with their own lawyer in accordance with the principle of confidentiality.
- What should a person do if their relative is in the Binkılıç Removal Center?
Contact the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Migration Management or directly the Binkılıç Removal Center; through a lawyer, learn the person’s status and get involved in the process.
Quickly collect documents such as passport, identity, residence, family ties, and give them to the lawyer.
If necessary, file an objection to the administrative detention decision and file a lawsuit against the deportation decision (the 7-day period is critical).
- Are health services available in the removal center?
Yes. There is a health unit in the center; in emergencies, referral is made to the nearest hospital. The special needs of women, children, and disabled individuals are also taken into account.
- Can clothing and food support be provided from outside?
Yes, but it is subject to the rules of the center. Families/NGOs may deliver clothing, hygiene materials, food, etc., in accordance with the procedure determined by the administration; for security reasons, items are accepted after inspection.
- Do children also stay in the removal center?
Yes; family unity is observed, while unaccompanied children are accommodated in the relevant child support units/the Ministry of Family and Social Services organization.
- How is an objection filed against the deportation decision?
A lawyer can file an annulment lawsuit in the relevant court within 7 days from notification.
Filing a lawsuit suspends the deportation process.
- How is an objection filed against the administrative detention decision?
A lawyer applies to the Criminal Judgeship of Peace; the judge decides within 5 days and the decision is final.
- Can foreigners staying in Binkılıç communicate with their families?
Yes. Communication with family, lawyer, or consulate can be provided via the center’s phones; visits are accepted on specific days/hours (check with the center for current practice).
- Can consulates or international organizations enter the center?
Yes. UNHCR and the relevant consular representatives can make visits.
- How does the process of release or sending to the country proceed?
The Migration Management decides according to the country’s acceptance status, document procurement, and the judicial process.
Alternative measures under Art. 57/A (such as a signature obligation) may be requested during the litigation process.
- What are the capacity and operation of the Binkılıç Removal Center?
Independent reports state that the Binkılıç Removal Center has a capacity of approximately 600–700 people and (in practice) is operated predominantly for men.
(Capacity and distribution may change over time; follow official announcements.)
- What are the visiting hours?
Visiting may change periodically; before going to the center, contact the Binkılıç Removal Center to confirm current visiting days/hours.
- Are religious needs met at the Binkılıç Removal Center?
Yes. There are places of worship and use is provided within the framework of freedom of religion/worship.
(Practices are regulated by the center’s management.)
- Can family members coming from a foreign country visit?
Yes; a valid visa or residence permit is required.
Before the visit, the center should be contacted to confirm approval/conditions.
