Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

The UK government has announced plans to appeal a High Court ruling that found part of its policy governing the deportation of Channel migrants under the UK-France “one in, one out” returns agreement was unlawful. The judgment centred on a Home Office policy introduced last September that limited the ability of certain migrants to challenge decisions rejecting claims that they were victims of human trafficking or modern slavery before being removed to France. Five migrants—four from Eritrea and one from Sudan—successfully challenged the policy, arguing that denying them the opportunity to seek a reconsideration of those decisions breached their legal…

Malawi has repatriated more than 38,000 of its citizens from South Africa following weeks of anti-migrant protests and unrest that have prompted thousands of foreign nationals to leave the country. According to Malawi’s Department of Disaster Management, 38,094 Malawians returned home between June 7 and July 8 as part of a large-scale government-led evacuation effort. Authorities said six returnees died during the journey after falling ill. Disaster Management Commissioner Wilson Moleni said four people died while travelling back to Malawi, while two others died shortly after crossing the border. He explained that all six had existing medical conditions but were…

Nearly 600 Afghan migrant families returned to Afghanistan in a single day as deportations and voluntary repatriations from neighbouring Iran and Pakistan continue, according to the Taliban’s commission responsible for addressing migrant issues. The commission said 568 families crossed back into Afghanistan through four major border points over the past 24 hours. The majority, 517 families, entered through the Torkham border crossing with Pakistan, while 42 families returned through Spin Boldak in Kandahar province. Another seven families crossed through Islam Qala on the Iranian border, and two families entered via Bahramcha in Helmand province. The latest figures come a day…

Kenya has completed the evacuation of 472 citizens from South Africa, bringing to an end an emergency repatriation operation launched in response to escalating anti-migrant protests across the country. The final group of 50 returnees arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Thursday, July 9, where they were received by officials from the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs. The evacuation exercise, which began on June 30, was coordinated by Kenya’s State Department for Diaspora Affairs in collaboration with the Kenya High Commission in Pretoria. Authorities provided transport, emergency travel documents and humanitarian assistance to Kenyans who requested to…

German and Swiss authorities have arrested five men suspected of belonging to a migrant smuggling network believed to have facilitated the irregular entry of hundreds of migrants into Germany while generating millions of euros in illegal profits. The coordinated operation resulted in the arrest of the alleged ringleader in Geneva, Switzerland, while four other suspects were detained in the German cities of Berlin, Dortmund and Delmenhorst. According to prosecutors and police, the men—aged between 25 and 45—are Syrian and Lebanese nationals suspected of holding senior positions within the criminal network. Investigators say the group directly organized the smuggling of at…

The European Union has proposed a new sanctions framework that would impose travel bans and asset freezes on individuals, groups, and organizations involved in migrant smuggling, human trafficking, and other forms of organized crime. The proposal, unveiled by the European Commission, is designed to strengthen the EU’s efforts to disrupt criminal networks that profit from irregular migration while improving the protection of vulnerable migrants. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the initiative aims to dismantle smuggling operations that exploit people seeking safety or better economic opportunities. “We all have a common goal: to drive them out of business…

The fatal shooting of a Mexican national by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Houston has intensified concerns over the treatment of migrants during immigration enforcement operations in Texas. Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, whom ICE identified as an undocumented migrant from Mexico, died on Tuesday after being shot during an attempted arrest in Houston’s East End. According to the Department of Homeland Security, federal agents were carrying out a targeted immigration enforcement operation when they attempted to stop his vehicle. ICE said Salgado Araujo tried to evade arrest and allegedly attempted to run over a federal officer, prompting agents…

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez continues to raise his international profile with outspoken positions on migration and foreign policy, even as his government faces mounting political pressure and corruption allegations at home. Now in his eighth year in office, Sánchez has emerged as one of Europe’s most prominent advocates for migrant rights and international cooperation. He has also attracted global attention for his criticism of the policies of former U.S. President Donald Trump and his stance on major international conflicts, including the wars involving Israel and Ukraine. His support for migration has distinguished Spain from several European countries that have…

Immigration to the Netherlands declined for the third consecutive year in 2025, with fewer skilled labour migrants and asylum seekers arriving in the country, according to new figures released by the Dutch statistics office. Official data show that 309,000 people immigrated to the Netherlands in 2025, representing a decrease of 8,000 compared with the previous year. The decline marks the continuation of a downward trend after immigration had risen almost continuously between 2006 and 2022. The statistics examined the main reasons people moved to the Netherlands, including employment, asylum, family reunification, and higher education. One of the sharpest declines was…

Plans to expand the Haslar Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) in Gosport, Hampshire, by adding 470 detention beds have been criticised by the area’s Member of Parliament, who says the revised proposal gives residents too little say over the development. The Home Office has submitted plans to the Planning Inspectorate to build additional accommodation at the former Haslar IRC, arguing that the expansion is a project of national importance. The move means the application will be determined through the national planning process rather than by Gosport Borough Council. The existing Haslar Immigration Removal Centre, which closed in 2015, is currently being…