Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

As Germany prepares for its national elections next month, one of the most pressing issues on the political agenda is migration. With a significant number of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers calling Germany home, the political parties have presented differing views on how to manage migration, integration, and border control. Here’s a closer look at the ideologies of the major political parties regarding migrants and migration. 1. Christian Democratic Union (CDU) The CDU, led by Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz, traditionally takes a more conservative stance on migration. The party advocates for a controlled immigration system that prioritizes skilled labor and…

Italy has resumed transferring migrants rescued in the Mediterranean to processing centers in Albania, despite ongoing legal and humanitarian concerns. On Sunday, officials confirmed that 49 migrants aboard the navy vessel Cassiopea were en route to the Albanian port of Shengjin, expected to arrive Tuesday morning. This marks the third such transfer under a controversial agreement between Italy and Albania. The Italian Interior Ministry reported that 53 other migrants avoided transfer by presenting valid passports, expediting their processing. For those whose nationalities are confirmed, Italy uses a fast-track procedure to repatriate individuals deemed ineligible to apply for asylum in the…

Tunisia’s parliament is reviewing a proposed law that would legalize the deportation of migrants without proper documentation. This has sparked widespread debate and international concern about human rights violations in the country. The Tunisian government claims it has “voluntarily” sent over 7,000 migrants back to their home countries since 2023. However, human rights organizations argue that many of these deportations were forced. Migrants reportedly signed deportation documents under pressure, and conditions in reception centers have been described as harsh, with reports of abuse. The draft law includes some safeguards, such as exemptions for migrants who might face torture or inhumane…

Former US President Donald Trump has announced a 25% tariff on all Colombian imports after a diplomatic standoff with Colombian President Gustavo Petro. This came in response to Petro’s decision to block two US military planes carrying deported migrants from landing in Colombia. Trump warned that the tariffs could double to 50% within a week if no resolution is reached. In retaliation, Petro imposed a 25% tariff on US imports, criticizing the use of military planes for deportations. He emphasized the need for dignity in handling migrants and proposed using civilian planes for deportees instead. Petro argued that migrants are…

A new Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) has been inaugurated in Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KR-I), under the “Sweden-Iraq Cooperation on Migration Governance (SI-COM)” project. Funded by the Swedish Ministry of Justice and the Swedish Migration Agency, the center aims to enhance migration management, focusing on labour migration pathways, return, and reintegration. The MRC, situated within the Joint Crisis Coordination Centre (JCC) under the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Interior, seeks to provide critical services to migrants while strengthening public institutions’ capacities to manage migration effectively. The inauguration ceremony, held on January 22, 2025, welcomed over 150 attendees, including government…

The Cyprus House of Representatives has unanimously approved amendments to the Aliens and Immigration Law, modernizing the country’s immigration framework and aligning it with the State Ministry of Immigration and International Protection. The changes, passed with 40 votes in favor, aim to enhance efficiency and tighten immigration controls. One key update revises the definition of a “prohibited immigrant,” expanding the criteria for individuals barred from entering or staying in Cyprus. This measure is expected to strengthen immigration enforcement across the nation. The new law also grants the Cabinet or the Deputy Minister of Immigration authority to delegate responsibilities to the…

Following Donald Trump’s recent immigration crackdown, many migrants are resorting to expensive smugglers and perilous routes to enter the United States. Alex Diaz, a 23-year-old Honduran migrant, is among those considering illegal entry after his U.S. asylum appointment was canceled. Diaz, once determined to avoid illegal crossing, now faces a $7,000 smuggling fee to reach San Antonio, Texas. Trump’s termination of the CBP One program, which allowed migrants to schedule asylum appointments at legal border crossings, has left individuals like Diaz with limited options. The program’s closure is part of Trump’s broader effort to tighten border security, further complicating the…

The European Commission is restructuring its funding approach to Tunisia following a Guardian investigation that uncovered extensive abuses by EU-funded security forces, including sexual violence against migrants. The overhaul introduces strict conditions ensuring that future payments, amounting to tens of millions of pounds over the next three years, will depend on Tunisia’s adherence to human rights standards. This move comes after reports last year accused Tunisia’s national guard of widespread abuse, including raping hundreds of migrants, beating children, and collaborating with people smugglers. Critics argue that the 2023 Tunisia-EU migration deal prioritized reducing migration to Europe over protecting human rights.…

Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe has called for a “national emergency” to address illegal migration, citing shocking new figures about the number of undocumented individuals living in London. Speaking on GB News, Lowe advocated for strict measures, including deporting those living in the UK unlawfully. Lowe compared his proposed approach to strategies being implemented in the United States, stating, “We have to declare a national emergency, rather like Trump’s doing, and we have to then be actually prepared to take hard decisions and deport, deport, deport.” He criticized the Labour Government’s handling of immigration, claiming Prime Minister Keir Starmer is…

A tragic knife attack in Aschaffenburg, Germany, has sparked widespread outrage and increased political tensions just weeks before the country’s early elections. A 28-year-old Afghan migrant was arrested after killing two people, including a toddler, in a park. The attacker, who used a kitchen knife to target a kindergarten group, has left the community in shock. The victims of the attack included a 41-year-old German man and a two-year-old boy of Moroccan descent, both of whom died from their injuries. A two-year-old Syrian girl was also injured, along with a 61-year-old man, a child, and a teacher. The attacker, who…