Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

The Canary Islands continue to experience a surge in migrant arrivals, with at least 340 people rescued from five boats between Sunday and Tuesday. These rescues occurred near the islands of El Hierro and Tenerife, highlighting the ongoing challenge of managing irregular migration in the region. Between Monday and Tuesday, two boats carrying 85 and 75 migrants disembarked on El Hierro, the smallest and most westerly of the Canary Islands. On Tuesday morning, another vessel spotted approximately 37 kilometers from the island prompted maritime rescue services to launch a search, which was still underway at the time of reporting. The…

Kenai Peninsula College has received a $2.3 million grant to support migrant students in Alaska. The grant is part of the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), funded by the U.S. Department of Education, to help students from migrant and seasonal labour backgrounds complete their first year of college. Over five years, the program will enroll 25 students each year, benefiting 125 students in total. This is the first time CAMP has been introduced in Alaska. The program will assist students from families with a history in industries like commercial fishing or seasonal labour. Eligible applicants or their immediate family members…

Navigating the asylum process can be a complex and overwhelming experience, but understanding the key steps can make the journey smoother. Here is a detailed step-by-step guide to help migrants understand how to apply for asylum, focusing on the critical documents and actions involved. Step 1: Understanding Asylum Asylum is a form of protection granted to individuals who are fleeing persecution due to their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. To qualify for asylum, you must be able to demonstrate that you are at risk of harm in your home country and that you…

A fire recently broke out in the canteen of the emergency accommodation and reception centre at Kilbride Military Camp, located in County Wicklow. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries, as all asylum seekers and Defence Forces personnel present at the facility were safely accounted for after the incident. This is a relief, as incidents like these could have had more severe consequences if not for the quick response of emergency services. The fire triggered an immediate, coordinated effort from multiple agencies. The fire brigade, An Garda Síochána (the national police service), and military police were all involved in the operation.…

El Paso County’s Migrant Support Services Center will be closing at the end of December 2024, as county officials face uncertainty about future federal funding. This decision comes after the center has played a crucial role in providing vital assistance to asylum seekers passing through the area. The center has been especially important since it opened in 2022, offering travel coordination, food, shelter, and other necessary services to migrants. These services were essential for individuals released from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, who often arrived with limited resources. Since its establishment, the…

The government of Chad has deported over 600 Nigerian migrants who were reportedly involved in street begging and other illegal activities. The affected individuals, mostly from Borno, Kano, Sokoto, and Kaduna states in northern Nigeria, had fled their homes during the height of the Boko Haram insurgency and sought refuge in neighboring countries like Chad and Cameroon. Muhammed Barkindo, Director-General of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), revealed the development during a profiling exercise for the deportees in Maiduguri on Monday. He noted that these migrants had entered Chad without proper documentation and were living under harsh conditions. Barkindo explained…

The Joint Border Patrol Team of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has caught 34 illegal migrants and seized a large amount of smuggled goods. This operation shows the continued efforts to fight smuggling and illegal activities along Nigeria’s borders. Among the seized contraband were 816 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 802 jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 285 bales of second-hand clothes, and other prohibited items. These seizures reflect the NCS’s commitment to combating smuggling and safeguarding Nigeria’s economy and security. Speaking in Lagos, Deputy Comptroller Mohamed Shuaibu, the team’s Coordinator, praised the increased patrols, ongoing surveillance, and better…

Migrant workers employed in renewable energy projects in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are reporting harsh working conditions, with allegations of wage theft, exploitative recruitment practices, and excessive working hours in extreme heat. A recent investigation by the human rights group Equidem reveals significant violations that point to forced labor within the sector. Equidem conducted interviews with 34 migrant workers from South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa working for 10 major renewable energy developers in the UAE. These workers were employed by 14 subcontracting companies specializing in various services, such as solar installations, security, and cleaning. Many workers reported facing severe…

Italy’s ambitious plan to manage migration through offshore centers in Albania has faced a significant setback. Just over a month since their launch, these multimillion-euro facilities, envisioned to accommodate up to 3,000 asylum seekers monthly, remain largely unused, supporting only 24 individuals. Consequently, dozens of police officers and social workers deployed to these centers have returned to Italy, marking a stark contrast to the project’s lofty goals. The initiative, spearheaded by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government, aimed to process and repatriate migrants outside the EU. However, its execution quickly unraveled. Legal challenges emerged when Italian judges deemed the detention…

Recent findings have revealed a troubling reality for migrant women on temporary visas in Australian workplaces. Over half of these women have reported experiencing sexual harassment at work, according to research by Unions NSW. Yet, only a quarter of those affected felt safe enough to report the abuse, highlighting significant barriers to justice and support. The study identified industries such as construction, hospitality, horticulture, cleaning, and retail as particularly unsafe for women, with bosses and managers being the most frequent perpetrators. Women who did come forward often faced severe consequences, including bullying, wage cuts, threats of deportation, or even the…