Çatalca (İnceğiz) is one of the removal centers in Istanbul. Across Istanbul, there are also centers in Selimpaşa (Silivri), Arnavutköy, Binkılıç, and Tuzla.
Foreign nationals apprehended on the European Side of Istanbul are generally referred to the Çatalca (İnceğiz) Removal Center.
Foreigners apprehended by law-enforcement units (police, gendarmerie, coast guard) are taken to the appropriate removal center within 48 hours according to the planning of the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Migration Management.
Legal Basis: LFIP (Law on Foreigners and International Protection) Art. 57 – “Foreigners for whom an administrative detention decision has been taken shall be taken to removal centers by the law-enforcement unit that carried out the apprehension within 48 hours.”
In Practice:
Those apprehended on the European Side are mostly directed to the Selimpaşa (Silivri), Çatalca (İnceğiz), or Binkılıç removal centers; those apprehended on the Asian Side are directed to the Tuzla Removal Center.
This distribution is not an official rule; it may vary according to the capacity and security planning of the Migration Management.
If a deportation decision has been taken against a person or if the “invitation to leave” process cannot be applied, the person is kept under administrative detention in a removal center.
Reasons for Deportation under LFIP Art. 54:
Administrative detention period: As a rule 6 months, which may be extended for an additional 6 months if necessary (maximum 12 months).
Çatalca (İnceğiz) Removal Center Address:
İnceğiz Neighborhood, Çatalca / Istanbul – affiliated with the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Migration Management.
Migration Management Contact Center (YİMER 157):
A 24/7 multilingual support line.
The Çatalca (İnceğiz) Removal Center process combines administrative detention and deportation procedures and is complex. In this process:
If your relative is in the Çatalca (İnceğiz) Removal Center or if a deportation process has been initiated, you should seek support from an expert foreigners’ law attorney.
As Keleş Law & Consultancy, we provide professional support regarding:
Phone: +90 551 939 66 88
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1. Where is the Çatalca (İnceğiz) Removal Center located?
The Çatalca (İnceğiz) Removal Center is located within the boundaries of Istanbul’s Çatalca district, near İnceğiz Neighborhood. The center is affiliated with the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Migration Management.
2. From which police stations are foreigners sent to the Çatalca (İnceğiz) Removal Center?
In practice, foreigners apprehended on Istanbul’s European Side are generally directed to the Çatalca (İnceğiz) Removal Center.
For example, foreigners apprehended in Esenyurt, Avcılar, Küçükçekmece, Arnavutköy, Başakşehir, Beylikdüzü, Fatih, Zeytinburnu, Gaziosmanpaşa, Bakırköy may be referred to this center.
However, there is no official “police station–center matching list”; the place of referral is determined according to the capacity and logistical planning of the Migration Management.
3. Why are foreigners kept in removal centers?
Persons against whom a deportation decision has been taken or for whom the invitation to leave cannot be applied may be kept under administrative detention.
Pursuant to LFIP Arts. 57 and 54:
4. For how long is a foreigner sent to the Çatalca (İnceğiz) Removal Center?
As a rule, the administrative detention period is 6 months, which may be extended for an additional 6 months if necessary (maximum 12 months).
If a lawsuit is filed within 7 days from entry into the center, deportation procedures are stayed during the judicial process.
5. What are the living conditions at the Çatalca (İnceğiz) Removal Center?
Accommodation, food, cleaning, and basic/emergency health services are provided.
Clothing and personal hygiene needs may be met by the center or with family support.
There are common areas.
(As in all removal centers in Istanbul, there are health units here as well.)
6. Is there a right to meet with a lawyer?
Yes. Persons in the Çatalca (İnceğiz) Removal Center can meet with their own lawyers confidentially.
7. What should a person do if their relative is in the Çatalca (İnceğiz) Removal Center?
First, contact the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Migration Management or the Çatalca (İnceğiz) Removal Center directly.
Through a lawyer, learn the person’s status and legally intervene in the process.
Quickly collect and deliver to the lawyer the passport, ID, residence permit, and family-tie documents.
If necessary, file an objection to the administrative detention decision and a lawsuit against the deportation decision.
(The 7-day litigation period is critical.)
8. Are health services available in the removal center?
Yes. There is a health unit in the center.
In emergencies, persons are referred to the nearest hospital.
The special needs of women, children, and persons with disabilities are taken into account.
9. Can clothing and food support be provided from outside?
Yes, but it is subject to the rules of the center.
Families or NGOs may deliver clothing, hygiene products, food, etc., in accordance with the procedures determined by the administration.
For security reasons, all items are accepted after inspection.
10. Do children also stay in the removal center?
Yes.
Family unity is observed.
Unaccompanied children are accommodated in child support units affiliated with the Ministry of Family and Social Services.
11. How is an appeal filed against a deportation decision?
A lawyer may file an annulment action with the competent court within 7 days from service of the decision.
Filing the lawsuit automatically stays the deportation process.
12. How is an objection filed against the administrative detention decision?
A lawyer files an objection with the competent judgeship.
The judge renders a decision within 5 days, and the decision is final.
13. Can foreigners staying in the Çatalca (İnceğiz) Removal Center communicate with their families?
Yes.
Communication with family, lawyer, or consulate is possible via the phones in the center.
Visits are also accepted at certain times and on certain days.
(The current practice should be confirmed with the center.)
14. Can consulates or international organizations enter the center?
Yes.
The UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) and relevant consulate representatives may visit the center.
15. How does the process of release or removal from the country work?
The Migration Management decides based on the country’s acceptance status, document procurement, and the judicial process.
During litigation, alternative measures under Article 57/A (e.g., signature obligation) may be applied.
16. What are the capacity and operating characteristics of the Çatalca (İnceğiz) Removal Center?
According to independent reports, the Çatalca (İnceğiz) Removal Center has an approximate capacity of 600–700 persons.
In practice, it is generally operated for male foreign nationals.
(Capacity and operation may change over time; follow official announcements.)
17. What are the visiting hours?
Visiting days and hours may change periodically.
Before going to the center, contact the Çatalca (İnceğiz) Removal Center to confirm the current visiting schedule.
18. Are religious needs met at the Çatalca (İnceğiz) Removal Center?
Yes.
There are prayer areas in the center, and use is allowed within the framework of freedom of religion/worship.
(Practices are regulated by the center’s management.)
19. Can family members coming from abroad visit?
Yes.
Family members with a valid visa or residence permit may visit the center.
Before the visit, they should apply to the center to get information about the conditions and permission process.
