Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

Former migrant street vendors in Barcelona are now gaining legal work opportunities through a rising fashion brand called Top Manta. The brand, created by African migrants who once sold goods on the streets, is helping people step away from risky street vending and into real jobs in design, sewing and printing. In a bright studio in Barcelona, models are seen wearing clothes that were created by migrants who used to run from police while selling items on the sidewalks. The clothes are part of a 10-piece recycled fashion collection designed by local artist Tania Marcial and produced by the Top…

Former President Donald Trump’s new immigration approach is separating thousands of families inside the United States, creating a fresh wave of pain for migrants already living in the country. This new form of separation is different from what the world saw during Trump’s first term, when more than 5,000 children were taken from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border. At that time, images of crying toddlers being removed from their mothers led to global outrage. Now, with illegal border crossings at the lowest point in 70 years, the government is focusing heavily on mass deportations that are breaking apart families…

According to videos posted online on December 5, three British men travelled by ferry from England to northern France for what they called an “anti-migrant patrol.” The group was later spotted in several coastal locations. In Dunkirk, they confronted staff members of Doctors Without Borders (MSF), accusing them of helping what they described as an “invasion.” On a beach in Gravelines, an area where many small boats begin their dangerous attempts to cross the English Channel, the same men shouted insults at people they believed were humanitarian workers. Aid groups say such incidents have become more frequent and increasingly aggressive.…

A Somali migrant who was publicly honoured for bravery in Germany has now been asked by authorities to leave the country, sparking debate over immigration rules and recognition of civic courage. Ahmed Mohamed Odowaa, a 30-year-old Somali national, received a civil medal earlier this year after helping to stop a knife attack in the Bavarian town of Aschaffenburg. In January, an Afghan migrant attacked a group of children at a kindergarten park, killing a two-year-old child and a 41-year-old man. As the attacker fled, Odowaa chased him, prevented his escape and helped police make the arrest. In February, Odowaa received…

Italy’s plan to run migrant processing centres in Albania is still far from complete one year after it was announced by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Despite high expectations, the project has faced legal, political, and practical obstacles that have slowed progress and limited its impact. The Italy Albania migrant plan was designed to allow Italian authorities to process asylum requests outside the EU, with a target of handling up to 3,000 people each month. In total, the centres were expected to process as many as 36,000 migrants a year through fast-track asylum procedures. However, the scheme quickly ran into legal…

The Catholic Church has opened a new support centre for migrants and displaced families in Bengaluru, the capital of India’s Karnataka state. The Pope Francis Migrant Centre was inaugurated on December 3 as part of efforts to provide care, protection, and hope for migrants arriving in the city in search of a better life. The centre was formally opened by Cardinal Silvano Tomasi and launched in partnership with the Scalabrinian Missionaries, an order with a long history of working with migrants worldwide. It is located near Yeshwantpur Railway Station, a key arrival point for many migrants entering Bengaluru every day.…

The European Union’s plan to create a shared system for returning migrants who fail asylum checks is unlikely to be fully implemented, despite growing political pressure across the bloc. While EU leaders have agreed in principle on tougher migration rules, deep divisions, legal challenges, and human rights concerns continue to threaten the plan’s future. The proposed EU-wide migrant returns plan is partly driven by the rise of far-right movements across Europe. These groups often frame migration as a major threat to European identity, security, and economic stability. This narrative has gained traction in recent years, even as Europe struggles with…

European justice ministers have agreed to push forward reforms aimed at changing how Europe’s main human rights treaty is applied, as governments seek stronger tools to deal with illegal migration. The agreement was reached during a meeting in Strasbourg, where concerns were raised about how existing human rights rules affect deportation and asylum decisions. Countries that are signatories to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) agreed to begin work on a political declaration that could reshape how the treaty is interpreted in practice. This declaration is expected to be discussed further at a summit scheduled for May next year.…

Claims have emerged that some migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats are being exploited by criminal gangs to smuggle drugs into Britain. According to an investigation by UK media, people smugglers are allegedly offering cut-price crossings to migrants who agree to carry cocaine or heroin into the country. The reports suggest that migrants are pressured to swallow small packages of drugs before boarding boats from northern France to England. In return, they are promised cheaper or so-called “VIP” crossings, sometimes placed on boats carrying women and children because these are believed to attract less attention from authorities. Once…

The Bahamas government has removed a controversial immunity provision from the Smuggling of Migrants Bill after strong criticism from opposition parties and civic groups. The clause would have protected smuggled migrants from prosecution for illegal entry, illegal stay, or the use of false documents if those actions resulted directly from being smuggled. The bill was passed in the House of Assembly after the governing Progressive Liberal Party backed away from the provision. Critics had argued that keeping the clause would weaken immigration enforcement and send the wrong message at a time of growing concern over illegal migration. National Security Minister…