Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

Turkish authorities captured 42 suspected migrant smugglers on New Year’s Eve, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced. The arrests were part of nationwide Shield-37 raids, with 14 of the suspects being foreign nationals. Additionally, 380,807 people were checked for identity cards during nationwide inspections, which led to the discovery of 764 irregular migrants who were transferred to deportation centers. Since 2020, Türkiye has apprehended over 1.1 million irregular migrants. Afghan nationals have made up the largest group, followed by Syrians. Migrant arrivals have increased year by year from 2020 to 2023, but the numbers have dropped significantly in 2024. In October…

In a bid to combat human trafficking, new measures will allow authorities to impose restrictions on suspected people smugglers even before prosecution. These include banning access to mobile phones, laptops, and social media. The initiative is part of interim serious crime prevention orders (SCPOs), granting investigators the ability to curb suspects’ activities while building cases against them. The SCPOs, previously used for crimes like terrorism and drug trafficking, will now target people smuggling. Suspects may face limits on financial dealings, travel, and communication with associates. Breaching these orders could result in up to five years in prison. Home Secretary Yvette…

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s ambitious plan to manage Europe’s migration crisis by establishing detention and processing centers in Albania has become a symbol of mismanagement and controversy. Despite its grand unveiling as a pioneering solution, the project has devolved into a costly and ineffective endeavor, leaving the facilities nearly empty and the staff with little to do. Launched in October 2024 with a €67.5 million investment, the initiative aimed to intercept and process asylum-seekers in Albania. However, the scheme quickly faltered when Italian immigration judges ruled it unlawful, forcing the return of the first group of migrants within a…

Morocco and Spain have built a strong partnership in tackling illegal migration, with security forces from both nations playing a vital role. This collaboration has led to significant progress, especially in reducing the number of irregular migrants entering Spanish territories. In 2024, Melilla, a Spanish enclave, recorded only 113 illegal entries, marking the lowest figure since the 1990s. This is a sharp decline compared to 2023, when 340 illegal entries were reported. Moroccan authorities also prevented 49,000 migration attempts last year, reinforcing their commitment to addressing this issue. Sea arrivals in Melilla dropped drastically, with only 21 undocumented individuals reaching…

A new report from the International Labour Organization (ILO) highlights that international migrant workers represented 4.7% of the global workforce in 2022, totaling 167.7 million people. The report shows that while migrant workers are a vital part of the global economy, they face significant challenges, including higher unemployment rates and gender-based inequalities. The report reveals that migrant workers are primarily employed in high-income countries such as those in Europe, North America, and the Arab States, which together account for 68.4% of all migrant workers. These regions rely heavily on migrant labor, particularly in sectors like healthcare and construction, due to…

Hundreds of migrants in southern Mexico are anxiously waiting to enter the United States legally before President-elect Donald Trump ends several humanitarian programs. These programs, initiated under President Joe Biden, have allowed migrants to use the CBP One app to make appointments with U.S. immigration officials and approach ports of entry legally. In the southern Mexican city of Tapachula, migrants are hoping to secure seats on buses provided by the Mexican government. These buses transport migrants with confirmed CBP One appointments to northern border cities, helping them avoid dangers posed by gangs and organized crime groups along the way. Venezuelan…

Tony Blair’s Labour government decided to open the UK’s borders to migrants from Eastern Europe in 2004, even though there were concerns from senior ministers. This decision came after eight countries, including Poland, Lithuania, and Hungary, joined the European Union. The newly released government files show that Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw both warned that this could lead to a large increase in immigration unless restrictions were put in place. However, other ministers, including Home Secretary David Blunkett, argued that the UK economy needed migrant labour to continue growing. The papers show that the government…

The UK government is preparing to introduce new measures in 2025 to address the growing migrant crisis, with a particular focus on reducing the number of people illegally crossing the English Channel to claim asylum. The Channel, a 34-kilometer-wide waterway separating the UK from France, has seen a record number of crossings this year, with at least 36,525 migrants entering the country. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has been in office since July, is determined to address the issue, which has placed a significant strain on the UK’s infrastructure. Starmer, whose Labour Party won the election with a promise to…

As the U.S. prepares for a shift in immigration policies, Tom Homan, who is the border czar under President-elect Donald Trump, has issued a clear warning to migrants: stay home. With just weeks left before Trump begins his second term in office, Homan emphasized that those thinking about crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally should reconsider their plans. He made it clear that the U.S. government is preparing to take a much tougher stance on immigration, starting from Day 1 of Trump’s presidency. Homan, who previously led U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), explained that the “catch and release” program, which…

Spain’s maritime rescue service reported saving 914 migrants attempting to reach the Canary Islands between Friday and Sunday. This brings the total number of arrivals since Christmas Day to over 2,000, according to Cadena Ser. The majority of those rescued were men of sub-Saharan origin, with some women and children also among the passengers. These perilous journeys highlight the ongoing migration crisis, with the Atlantic route to the Canary Islands being one of the deadliest migration paths in the world. According to Caminando Fronteras, a migrant advocacy organization, at least 10,400 migrants have died attempting to reach Spain by sea…