Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

The government of South Africa has held urgent discussions to address rising anti-migrant tensions as protests against undocumented foreign nationals continue to spread across different parts of the country. Government ministers responsible for justice, defence, and crime prevention met on Monday to develop strategies aimed at tackling xenophobia, racism, and growing hostility towards migrants. The emergency meeting comes after increasing demonstrations by citizen-led groups demanding that undocumented migrants leave the country before June 30. Although the ultimatum has no official government support, it has raised serious concerns among migrant communities and human rights organisations, who fear the protests could trigger…

A new report has warned that tougher immigration settlement rules proposed by the government of the United Kingdom could discourage higher-earning migrants from remaining in the country long term. The analysis, released by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), examined around 900,000 migrant journeys between 2014 and 2024 to better understand long-term migration patterns and how immigration policies may affect labour shortages, public finances, and population growth. According to the report titled Who Stays, Who Leaves?, migrants earning the highest salaries were among the groups most likely to leave the UK after a few years, while lower-paid migrants were more likely…

Egypt is urging the European Union to increase financial support as it continues to host what it describes as millions of refugees and migrants, while serving as a key buffer against irregular migration toward Europe. The debate comes as the EU strengthens its migration partnership with Egypt through a wider strategic agreement covering political cooperation, trade, security, and migration management. European leaders view Egypt as a crucial partner in controlling movement across the Mediterranean. Under the current arrangement, the EU has pledged billions of euros in support for Egypt, including funding aimed at economic stability and migration-related programmes. A portion…

The government of New South Wales has officially opened the state’s first dedicated Migrant Workers Centre in Sydney, aiming to support temporary visa holders facing workplace exploitation, underpayment, unsafe conditions, and immigration-related concerns. The new centre, located in Sydney’s central business district, is backed by 6.5 million Australian dollars in government funding over the next four years. The initiative is designed to provide workplace advice, legal guidance, safety support, and immigration assistance to vulnerable migrant workers across the state. The launch comes amid growing concern about the treatment of migrant workers in Australia, particularly temporary visa holders who often fear…

The International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) have released a revised edition of their Rescue Guide aimed at strengthening the rescue and protection of refugees and migrants in distress at sea. The updated publication, titled Rescue at Sea: A guide to principles and practice in the context of refugee and migrant movements, is designed to support governments, shipmasters, rescue agencies, and humanitarian groups in carrying out their legal and humanitarian responsibilities during maritime rescue operations. The revised guide comes as deadly shipwrecks involving migrants and refugees continue…

Negotiators in the European Union have failed to reach an agreement on a controversial new migrant returns law designed to increase deportations from the bloc and tighten migration controls across Europe. The proposed legislation is considered a major part of the EU’s broader migration reform agenda, which aims to strengthen border management, speed up deportations, and reduce irregular migration into member states. However, talks between EU institutions ended without a final agreement after disagreements continued over when the new rules should take effect. Magnus Brunner, the EU Migration Commissioner, has described the returns regulation as the “missing piece” in Europe’s…

Sierra Leone has received its first group of migrants deported from the United States under a growing series of migration agreements involving several African countries. The flight arrived at an airport near the capital, Freetown, carrying nine migrants from different West African nations. According to officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the deportees included five people from Ghana, two from Guinea, one from Senegal, and one from Nigeria. The group is part of a wider US immigration enforcement effort that has led to deportations to multiple African countries. Health officials in Sierra Leone said many of the deportees appeared…

The government of Italy has hosted high-level talks with delegations from Libya, Turkey, and Qatar in Rome to discuss migration management, security cooperation, and ways to reduce irregular migration across the Mediterranean Sea. The meeting brought together senior officials, including advisers to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, along with representatives from Turkey and Qatar. The discussions focused on strengthening coordination between countries involved in migration routes that lead towards Europe, particularly through North Africa. Libya remains a key transit country for migrants attempting to reach Europe, and Italy has continued to deepen cooperation with Libyan authorities despite the country’s ongoing…

A Norwegian appeals court has blocked the extradition of migrant rights activist Tommy Olsen to Greece in a decision that human rights groups and legal experts have described as a major victory for freedom of expression and migrant rights across Europe. The ruling, delivered by the Hålogaland Court of Appeal in Tromsø, rejected Greece’s request to extradite the Norwegian activist, who was accused of helping facilitate the illegal entry of migrants into Greece through his work with the NGO Aegean Boat Report. Lawyers representing Olsen called the judgment unprecedented, saying it is extremely rare for a European court to block…

The Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) has strongly condemned the growing violence and intimidation targeting migrants and refugees in South Africa, warning that political leaders must not exploit the country’s migration crisis for electoral advantage ahead of upcoming local government elections. In a Pastoral Letter released on Wednesday, 20 May, and signed by SACBC President Stephen Brislin, the bishops described the attacks against foreign nationals as a serious violation of human dignity and a betrayal of the values that should guide South African society. “We unequivocally and without ambiguity condemn the acts of violence, intimidation, and displacement directed at…