Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

France’s digital immigration system, ANEF (Administration Numérique des Étrangers en France), was designed to simplify administrative processes for migrants. However, instead of streamlining procedures, it has become notorious for technical glitches, bureaucratic blockages, and the lack of human support, leaving thousands in legal limbo. At La Cimade’s legal aid center in Paris, migrants gather daily seeking help with residency permits, medical aid applications, and family reunification. Many of them, like Jawad, a 34-year-old Afghan, have been trapped in an administrative nightmare due to ANEF errors. Despite receiving subsidiary protection in 2021, he has waited four years for his residence permit…

The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs has announced a strict crackdown on illegal migrants, set to begin on May 1. First Deputy Minister Alexander Gorovoy stated that approximately 650,000 foreign citizens are residing in the country illegally, with a significant portion in the Volga Federal District. The ministry is urging undocumented migrants to legalize their status before the deadline, but voluntary registration remains low. A key factor in the rise of undocumented migrants has been stricter Russian language proficiency exams, which have prevented many from obtaining work permits. The government is balancing the need for foreign labour with the necessity…

A new immigration proposal under the Trump administration has reignited debates over privacy and freedom of expression. The measure would allow U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to access the social media accounts of asylum seekers, permanent residency applicants, and those seeking U.S. citizenship to determine their eligibility. Critics argue this violates the First Amendment and could lead to self-censorship among immigrants. The proposal, part of an executive order signed by Trump on his first day in office, is justified by USCIS as a necessary step for national security. The agency claims that social media screening will help verify identities…

Finland’s government is pushing to extend a law that allows authorities to reject asylum applications from migrants crossing its eastern border with Russia. The proposed extension, which would keep the restrictions in place until the end of 2026, has sparked debate over human rights concerns and EU asylum rules. The Finnish government claims that Russia is using migration as a political weapon by encouraging migrants from third countries to enter Finland. While Moscow has repeatedly denied these allegations, Finnish officials insist that the risk remains high. “The threat of instrumentalised migration at Finland’s eastern border remains high and unpredictable,” said…

The US Senate has passed a six-month Republican-backed funding bill, narrowly avoiding a government shutdown. Despite strong opposition from many Democrats, the bill cleared the Senate with a 54-46 vote and now heads to President Donald Trump for approval. The vote saw New Hampshire Democrat Jeanne Shaheen breaking party ranks to support the bill, while Republican Senator Rand Paul opposed it. Earlier, a group of Democratic senators, including John Fetterman, Brian Schatz, and Kirsten Gillibrand, joined Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in advancing the bill past the 60-vote threshold needed to break a filibuster. Schumer’s decision to support the bill…

Poland has temporarily halted the right of migrants entering the country from Belarus to apply for asylum. The controversial law, signed by President Andrzej Duda, has drawn strong criticism from human rights groups. Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized the urgency of implementing the new legislation, stating that it would be enforced “without a moment’s delay.” Duda, who previously voiced concerns about its impact on Belarusian dissidents, defended the decision, saying it was necessary to “strengthen the security of our borders and the security of Poles.” Under this new law, Polish authorities can suspend the right to asylum for 60 days…

The Federal Government of Nigeria is set to begin a mass crackdown on illegal migrants starting August 1, 2025. This initiative aims to enforce immigration laws and ensure proper documentation of foreign nationals residing in the country. Authorities have emphasized that undocumented migrants must regularize their status or face deportation as part of this nationwide effort. Meanwhile, the Nigerian stock market maintained a positive trend, with investors gaining N26 billion as key performance indices edged up by 0.04 percent on Tuesday. The Nigerian Exchange Ltd. (NGX) market capitalization climbed to N66.214 trillion from Monday’s opening figure of N66.188 trillion. Similarly,…

The number of foreign residents in Italy’s Abruzzo region has grown, reaching 87,066 by the end of 2023, according to a new immigration report presented at the University of L’Aquila on March 21. This figure accounts for 6.9 percent of the region’s total population. The report, led by Professor Luigi Gaffuri, was released in conjunction with the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It highlights that most foreigners reside in the province of L’Aquila (24,560), followed by Teramo (23,599), Chieti (21,144), and Pescara (17,763). Romanian nationals form the largest foreign community, numbering 21,787 (26.3 percent), followed by Albanians…

Tunisian President Kais Saied has urged the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to intensify efforts in repatriating irregular migrants, stressing the need for a more effective approach to controlling migration. He criticized the slow pace of voluntary returns, noting that only 1,544 migrants have been repatriated since the start of the year. In a statement released on Tuesday, the presidency highlighted that the number could have been much higher if stronger efforts had been made to address the issue. Tunisia remains a key departure point for migrants, particularly from sub-Saharan Africa, seeking to cross the Mediterranean to Europe. With its…

UNHCR has suspended most refugee aid in Egypt due to severe funding shortages, leaving thousands without medical care. The ongoing war in Sudan has forced 12 million people to flee, with about 1.5 million seeking refuge in Egypt. However, only 670,000 of them are officially registered with the UNHCR. Due to budget constraints, the agency will now only provide emergency medical assistance, affecting around 20,000 refugees who rely on essential treatments. This decision means that many patients suffering from chronic illnesses like diabetes and high blood pressure will no longer receive medications such as insulin or beta blockers. Jakob Arhem,…