Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

The “Archipelago Abroad” exhibit, launched on January 17, 2025, sheds light on the stories of Filipino migrants in Belgium, offering a powerful glimpse into their journeys, challenges, and triumphs. Organized by the Philippine Art and Culture Exchange (PACE), this exhibition presents a rich tapestry of Filipino experiences through art, personal artifacts, photographs, films, and testimonials. It is a celebration of the resilience, culture, and identity of Filipinos who left their homeland to build new lives in Belgium. The exhibit features a variety of items that reflect the Filipino migrant experience, including traditional baskets, cultural attire, prayer books, passports, and even…

As President Donald Trump pushes forward with plans to deport undocumented immigrants, Tijuana, a Mexican city near the U.S. border, has declared a state of emergency. This action is meant to secure extra resources and funding to handle a possible increase in deported migrants. The move is precautionary, but local officials are preparing for the challenges that may come with Trump’s stricter immigration policies. Tijuana, Mexico’s second-largest city, has long been a key stop for migrants trying to enter the United States. With over 30 shelters for migrants, the city is a transit point for people hoping to cross the…

President Donald Trump has taken swift action to dismantle a key Biden-era program that allowed migrants from Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Haiti to enter the United States temporarily. This decision, announced on his first day in office, is part of a broader agenda to implement stricter immigration policies and reverse initiatives introduced by the previous administration. The program, launched by President Joe Biden in 2023, aimed to provide a legal and orderly pathway for migrants fleeing economic and political hardships in these four nations. It allowed individuals with financial sponsors and who passed security checks to enter the U.S. by…

The CBP One app, a platform that allowed nearly one million migrants to legally enter the United States with work permits, has been discontinued by the Trump administration. This decision, announced shortly after Donald Trump took office, marks a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy and fulfills a key campaign promise to tighten border controls. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced the app’s removal, effectively canceling all existing appointments scheduled through the platform. The CBP One app was widely recognized for its role in modernizing migration management. It enabled migrants to book appointments at eight southern border locations…

The mother of Rachel Morin, a Maryland woman tragically killed while jogging in 2023, has developed an unexpected friendship with President Donald Trump, which she credits with helping her navigate the aftermath of her daughter’s brutal murder. Patty Morin will attend Trump’s inauguration, highlighting the bond they formed during her advocacy for stricter immigration policies. Rachel Morin, a 37-year-old mother of five, was reported missing in August 2023 after failing to return from a jog. Her body was later discovered with severe injuries, hidden in a culvert near the trail. The suspect, Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez, 23, is a Salvadoran national…

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, he has made it clear that cracking down on illegal immigration will be one of his top priorities. This has sparked concern among Chicago’s migrant community, which is now bracing for the possibility of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids targeting sanctuary cities like Chicago. Local leaders and immigrant rights groups gathered in the Pilsen neighborhood on Saturday to discuss how best to support undocumented immigrants ahead of these potential operations. With Trump’s inauguration just days away, sources close to the incoming administration have revealed that federal agents plan to arrest unauthorized…

Mexican authorities have announced plans to close a hidden tunnel found along the US-Mexico border. The 300-meter tunnel connects Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, to El Paso, Texas, and was used for smuggling migrants and contraband. Disguised as part of a storm sewer system, the tunnel was discovered last week, though officials suspect it took over a year to build. The tunnel was equipped with wooden reinforcements, lighting, and ventilation, showing the sophistication of smuggling operations. US border patrol agents uncovered the tunnel after removing a metal plate covering the entrance and notified Mexican authorities. Investigators are now probing whether local officials…

Police in Crotone, southern Italy, have arrested a Nigerian man accused of leading a notorious human trafficking network. The suspect, identified as A.D., is the alleged ringleader of Arrow Baga – Supremes Vikings, a criminal group that has been operating in France for several years. He was arrested on January 17 under a European arrest warrant issued by French authorities. A.D., 42, had been sentenced in France to ten years in prison by a court in Marseilles for his involvement in criminal activities, including clandestine immigration, extortion, and sexual violence. Despite this sentence, he managed to escape from France and…

Donald Trump has announced an ambitious plan to deport millions of undocumented immigrants from the United States. This initiative, which he describes as the largest deportation effort in the country’s history, aims to remove all individuals living in the U.S. without legal status. Experts estimate that at least 11 million people could be affected. However, many policy analysts believe such a large-scale operation may face significant challenges and is unlikely to achieve its full goal. Trump’s plan has raised questions due to its lack of detailed explanations. He has stated that the first group targeted will be undocumented immigrants who…

Homero Zamorano Jr., a truck driver from Texas, has pleaded guilty to charges related to the deaths of 53 migrants who were trapped in a hot tractor-trailer during a smuggling attempt in June 2022. This tragic event, which took place on a remote road in San Antonio, is now known as the deadliest smuggling incident in U.S.-Mexico border history.Zamorano, 48, admitted his role in federal court, facing charges of conspiracy and transporting migrants, which led to death and serious injury. He could face life in prison, with his sentencing scheduled for April 24. The Justice Department said Zamorano and his…