The figures cover returns of persons who were detained in prison and subsequently removed, including persons returned directly from prison and persons transferred to a closed centre before their removal. Depending on the circumstances of the return, a person may spend a longer period in a closed centre or stay there for a shorter period before departure. The Immigration Office's statistics distinguish between these different forms of removal and provide monthly figures for 2026.

Between January and August 2026, the largest numbers of persons returned following detention in prison were nationals of Morocco (233), Albania (195) and Algeria (138), according to figures cited by the Minister for Asylum and Migration. 

The Minister for Asylum and Migration also announced measures to increase the number of Immigration Office staff trained as return escorts. On 14 September 2026, 14 new Immigration Office staff members started training as return escorts at the PAULO police training centre in East Flanders. According to the minister, the measure is intended to increase the capacity to carry out forced returns and reduce waiting times for return operations.

For further details, please consult the statistics published by the Immigration Office (in French or Dutch). Further information on the figures is also available in the statement published by the Minister for Asylum and Migration (in Dutch).