Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

Tragedy struck off the West African coast this week as over 40 Pakistani migrants are feared dead after their boat capsized near Dakhla, a Moroccan-controlled port city in Western Sahara. The vessel, which had set sail from Mauritania earlier this month, carried around 80 passengers, including 66 Pakistanis, according to reports. Moroccan authorities rescued 36 survivors from the capsized boat, but the fate of the remaining passengers remains grim. The migrant rights group Walking Borders estimates that around 50 individuals may have drowned in the accident. The Pakistani embassy in Morocco confirmed the incident, stating that several Pakistani nationals who…

As San Antonio prepares for the inauguration of the 47th president, migrant aid organizations and churches are gearing up for potential challenges under the new administration. Leaders like Pastor Dianne Garcia of Roca de Refugio and Antonio Fernandez, CEO of Catholic Charities, express deep concern about the incoming president’s plans for immigration reform, including potential mass deportations. Monday’s inauguration could mark the beginning of sweeping policy changes. Fernandez anticipates numerous executive orders, many targeting immigration and border security. The Laken Riley Act, already advancing in Congress, could expand detention powers for asylum seekers accused of minor offenses, raising concerns about…

The CBP One app, which has facilitated the legal entry of nearly one million migrants into the United States, may soon face an uncertain future as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office. This app has been a lifeline for many migrants, offering a structured pathway to enter the U.S. with work permits for two years. However, Trump has signaled plans to end the program as part of a broader immigration crackdown. In Tijuana, Mexico, the app has transformed lives, including that of Martha Rosales, who turned her home into a migrant shelter. Rosales, a local resident, began housing migrants…

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has highlighted the strong bond between Albania and Italy, describing their relationship as one of brotherhood. Speaking during a news conference at Sustainability Week in Abu Dhabi, Rama explained that Albania’s decision to host Italian migrant centers is not about personal gain but a gesture of friendship and solidarity. He emphasized that this cooperation reflects the close ties between the two nations. Ahead of his meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, whom he referred to as his sister, Rama joked about migrants cycling alongside the Giro d’Italia, which will pass through several Albanian cities…

Asylum is one of the most crucial forms of protection available to individuals fleeing violence, persecution, and conflict. For many refugees and migrants, it represents a lifeline—offering the chance to rebuild their lives in a safe and secure environment. Understanding the asylum process, the eligibility criteria, and the rights of asylum seekers is essential for anyone looking to navigate the complexities of migration. What is Asylum? Asylum is the protection granted by a country to individuals who have fled their home country due to a well-founded fear of persecution. This persecution could be based on factors such as race, religion,…

Three Indonesian migrant workers were detained by immigration officers in Nunukan, North Kalimantan, after attempting to enter Malaysia illegally. The workers, aged between 22 and 42, are from East Flores in East Nusa Tenggara and were intercepted at Dapiton Pier, a border crossing point near the Sabah border in Malaysia. The three individuals admitted that they intended to work in Malaysia as oil palm farmers without the proper documentation. The Nunukan Immigration Office, which carried out the detention, stated that the workers were trying to enter Malaysia illegally to seek employment, which is against both Indonesian and Malaysian immigration laws.…

It’s early morning in Plano, Texas, and the temperature is just above freezing. By 6 a.m., dozens of day labourers have gathered at the city’s Day Labour Center, hoping to find work. The center, located off Ozark Drive, was established in 1994 to connect workers with contractors, nonprofits, and local residents needing help with various tasks. Curtis Howard, director of Neighborhood Services for Plano, explained the center’s purpose: “The goal was to create a space where people seeking work could meet those in need of labour. Workers share their skills, such as driving or construction, and we match them with…

A woman claiming to be a nature photographer is facing charges of migrant smuggling after being stopped by U.S. Border Patrol agents near Animas, New Mexico. The woman, Chelsea Naida Ruiz, and her companion, Jeremiah Earl Goins, were driving a black GMC Terrain with Indiana license plates when they were stopped with four migrants dressed in camouflage onboard. The couple told agents they were on a photography trip to capture the scenic southern New Mexico landscape. According to Goins, they encountered four people in need of help and decided to offer them a ride to Tucson, Arizona. Ruiz, who said…

For two months, 26-year-old Venezuelan migrant Natalie Zulbaran has been staying at the Stewart Hotel in Midtown Manhattan. Once a busy tourist destination near Penn Station, the 850-room hotel was converted into a migrant shelter in 2023. Today, it reflects the struggles faced by New York’s migrant and asylum-seeking communities. As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, his immigration plans are creating uncertainty. Trump has pledged to begin the largest deportation program in U.S. history on his first day in office, calling some migrants criminals during an October rally in New York. He also intends to declare a national…

Jeanett Moskito has been accused of scamming hundreds of Filipino migrant workers in Canada, leaving many without jobs, work permits, and even homeless. For over ten years, Moskito’s companies, Link4Staff and Berderald Consulting, have been offering jobs to foreign workers, often promising them legal employment and a path to permanent residency in Canada. However, CBC News’ investigation reveals that her promises were largely false, and many workers ended up in difficult situations. Moskito, who is not a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer, has been caught multiple times by the Ontario Ministry of Labour for taking illegal payments from workers in…