The statistic was voiced during a discussion of an opposition inquiry concerning the construction of a detention center for foreigners in Mucenieki, where Latvia's only asylum seekers center is located. The minister claimed that human trafficking is on the rise in Latvia.
In January Latvia granted €3.1 million to the Interior Ministry for renovating and expanding the asylum seeker center in Mucenieki and building a detention center for foreigners held for violating Latvia's migration laws.
Latvia has agreed to take in a total of 531 refugees from Italy and Greece, with the possibility that number could rise to a maximum of 776 if agreement can be reached with other EU member states.