Authorities in Greece have implemented tougher border controls to appease the nationwide rise in racist sentiment that came to the fore in the recent general election.

Police recently announced plans to deport up to 1,500 undocumented migrants.

The stern enforcement is a response to the criticism by Conservative politicians during the election campaign of the government for its alleged inaction against illegal migrant communities. Many voters frustrated with austerity cuts invested their hopes in the far-right Golden Dawn party.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, those foreigners that have already made it into Greece are struggling to survive.

In the last six months, human-rights groups say at least 500 migrants have been attacked. Up to 20 were victims of stabbings.

Al Jazeera's Jackie Rowland reports from Athens