Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE
A federal judge in the United States has called for testimony from a former Justice Department lawyer in an inquiry connected to the deportation of Venezuelan migrants. The case could result in criminal contempt referrals against officials from the Trump administration. Judge James E. Boasberg said he wants to hear from Erez Reuveni, a former Justice Department attorney who later became a whistleblower. The inquiry is examining whether senior officials ignored a court order related to migrant removal flights. At the centre of the case are two aircraft carrying Venezuelan detainees that were reportedly allowed to continue to El Salvador…
The Iraqi Embassy in Tripoli has announced the return of 12 Iraqi migrants who entered Libya through illegal routes. The confirmation was made by the embassy’s chargé d’affaires, Ahmed Al-Sahhaf, as part of ongoing efforts to support stranded Iraqi nationals in the country. According to the embassy, the repatriation followed close monitoring of the situation of Iraqi migrants in Libya. Many of these migrants are believed to have taken dangerous journeys in search of work or onward travel, often relying on smuggling networks. During its recent checks, the embassy reported locating 19 additional Iraqi migrants. These individuals were reportedly exploited…
The UK and French governments are facing growing criticism for failing to deal with anti-migrant activists who travel from Britain to northern France to interfere with migrants attempting to cross the Channel. Aid groups say the lack of action is allowing intimidation, harassment, and xenophobic behaviour to spread unchecked. In a rare joint move, nine French organisations that work closely with migrants in northern France released a statement condemning both governments. They accused the authorities of not doing enough to prevent British activists from targeting migrants camped along the coast. One of the groups at the centre of the controversy…
A tragic incident off the Greek island of Samos has left a 12-year-old migrant boy dead after a human trafficker allegedly forced passengers to jump from a speeding boat. The incident happened in the early hours of Monday as the vessel approached the island’s northern coast near the area of Svala. According to local reports, the speedboat was carrying 37 migrants when the smuggler ordered everyone on board to jump into the sea. During the chaos, the young boy was struck by the boat’s propeller as the trafficker attempted to flee, leading to fatal injuries. Authorities have not yet released…
A large enforcement operation in Selayang Baru, Malaysia, has led to the detention of 843 undocumented migrants after a tense overnight raid carried out on Saturday. The operation followed weeks of intelligence gathering and mounting complaints from residents about overcrowding and the rapid growth of informal roadside businesses. Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari was present during the operation and later addressed the media. He explained that those detained included 808 men and 35 women aged between 21 and 53. The individuals were from several countries, including Indonesia, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. According to Amirudin, the crackdown…
The Secretary of the Philippines Department of Migrant Workers, Hans Leo Cacdac, has visited a shelter for expatriate workers in Kuwait and praised the care and support offered to female migrants staying there. The visit took place on Saturday at the shelter located in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh. During the visit, Cacdac was welcomed by Rabab Al-Ossaimi, the acting head of Kuwait’s Public Authority of Manpower. She explained the legal, social, and rehabilitation services provided to women housed at the centre, many of whom are domestic workers facing difficulties with their employers. The shelter was established in 2010 and has since supported…
Plans are underway for a new Immigration Removal Centre near Heathrow that could cost UK taxpayers as much as £1 billion over ten years. The centre is expected to operate from 2028 to 2038 and would have space for around 1,000 detainees, according to details published by the Home Office. Reports say about 900 people held at the centre would have access to NHS healthcare, welfare services, and educational activities such as art lessons and maths support. Leisure options like films and table tennis are also expected to be available, which has triggered strong public and political criticism over spending…
The United Nations refugee agency has urged Lithuania to review and end its policy of pushing back irregular migrants at its border with Belarus, warning that the practice goes against international refugee principles and EU commitments. The call was made by Annika Sandlund, the UNHCR representative for the Nordic and Baltic countries, during an interview with local media. Sandlund said UNHCR understands concerns about migrants being used as political tools by states, but stressed that people caught in such situations are still victims. According to her, many migrants face exploitation by smugglers and criminal networks, and should not be treated…
Indonesia has called on the global community to strengthen cooperation in protecting migrant workers, stressing that shared responsibility is key to ensuring their safety, rights, and dignity worldwide. The call was made during a constructive dialogue between Indonesia and the United Nations Committee on the Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers and Their Families held in Geneva, Switzerland, from December 2 to 3, 2025. The meeting formed part of Indonesia’s regular reporting on its commitment to migrant worker rights. Speaking during the session, Harniati, Acting Director General of Human Rights Instruments and Strengthening at the Indonesian Ministry of Human…
The United States government has reduced the validity of work permits for certain categories of migrants from five years to just 18 months, citing concerns around national security, public safety, and increased monitoring of immigration processes. The announcement was made by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which said the change is meant to strengthen oversight of non-citizens working legally in the country. According to officials, the new policy is aimed at preventing potential threats and limiting what they describe as anti-American activities. The policy affects a wide range of migrants, including those who have been granted asylum, individuals with…