Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

Britain is set to accept dozens of Tamil asylum seekers from the Chagos Islands, reversing its previous stance of potentially sending them to St Helena or Rwanda. The shift in policy was confirmed by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who have agreed to allow the group to travel to the UK. This decision marks a significant change after years of court battles and difficult living conditions for the group. The 64 asylum seekers, including 16 children, have been stranded on Diego Garcia since October 2021. They were attempting to flee persecution in Sri Lanka and reach…

Greece is planning to establish a migrant detention facility on the island of Rhodes to address the recent increase in arrivals from neighboring Turkey. Migration Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos discussed this proposal on Tuesday, highlighting the urgent need for action due to the growing number of migrants reaching the island. Over the past few months, hundreds of migrants have arrived on Rhodes and the nearby island of Symi, prompting local authorities to voice concerns about the strain on resources. Images circulating in local media have depicted migrants setting up temporary shelters using tents and sitting on makeshift seating made of cardboard…

In a recent campaign event in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump presented an unusual proposal aimed at the sports world: the creation of a special martial arts league for migrants. Speaking to an enthusiastic crowd, Trump suggested this league could showcase matches between migrants and local fighters, emphasizing the talent and danger some migrants could bring to the ring. He directly appealed to UFC President Dana White, asking for the creation of this unique champion league specifically for migrants. Trump expressed confidence in the abilities of these potential fighters, suggesting they could match or even surpass current champions.…

Many businesses in Belgium are facing a tough time filling job openings, especially in certain sectors, which is slowing down economic growth. At the same time, many undocumented migrants are ready to work in these jobs if the laws are changed. A legal group is asking for a new rule that would let undocumented migrants fill in-demand positions to help the Belgian economy. The Bar of French- and German-speaking lawyers in Belgium (avocat.be) has sent an open letter to the Walloon and Flemish governments and negotiators for the Federal and Brussels governments. They are calling for a “migratory ruling” that…

The Home Office is expanding its efforts to prevent migrants from avoiding deportation by discarding their passports. The move is part of a broader strategy to fast-track asylum claims and speed up the processing and return of those coming from countries considered safe. Under a new agreement, up to 36,000 people a year who attempt to reach Italy from “safe” countries are set to be taken to Shengjin, a port in Albania about 45 miles from the capital, Tirana. Their asylum claims will be processed quickly, and successful applicants will be allowed to continue to Italy. However, most are expected…

Shah Mahmoud Selab arrived in the United States in November 2021 as part of President Biden’s initiative to airlift Afghan refugees. After landing in the country, he settled in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where he was initially accepted into the community. However, Selab’s actions took a troubling turn when, in August 2021, he assaulted a 12-year-old boy. During this incident, he showed the boy explicit images on his phone and attempted to sexually assault him in a public restroom. Fortunately, the boy managed to escape when someone knocked on the door, which halted the assault. Selab was later convicted for…

The Italian government is moving forward with plans to transfer migrants to Albania using the navy’s Libra ship, even though courts have ruled against the plan and the costs are high. The transfers will begin again this week, 20 days after being paused. The first mission was stopped when two migrants were sent back after being found under 18, and the remaining 12 returned after a ruling by a Rome court. On October 18, the Immigration Court in Rome refused to approve holding migrants in Albania. The Bologna Court also sent a decree on ‘safe countries’ to the European Court…

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to double funding for the UK’s border security agency to combat human smuggling gangs and reduce the number of migrants crossing the English Channel. Speaking at an Interpol meeting on Monday, Starmer highlighted the importance of addressing the threat posed by these gangs, which he described as a significant global security issue. He said, “The world needs to wake up to the severity of this challenge” and plans to apply counterterrorism tactics to disrupt these criminal networks. The proposed budget for the UK Border Security Command will increase from £75 million ($97 million) to…

Reports indicate that the Iranian government has demolished homes belonging to Afghan migrants in Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan Province, where they had lived for 10 to 40 years. This move has caused alarm in the Afghan community in Iran, highlighting the challenges they face despite long-term residency. Many migrants now fear the loss of their homes and livelihoods. According to migrants in the area, authorities recently destroyed around 200 homes in the “Aabshourak” neighborhood. These individuals claim they had legally purchased their land from Iranian citizens and have lived in Iran for decades, holding documents such as Amayesh cards (temporary IDs),…

Moroccan authorities have made significant strides in combating migrant smuggling and protecting vulnerable individuals. According to a recent government report presented to the House of Representatives on October 1st, authorities disrupted 48,963 smuggling attempts and dismantled 210 criminal networks involved in migrant trafficking since early 2024. These efforts showcase Morocco’s dedication to curbing illegal migration and ensuring safety at its borders. The Royal Navy played a crucial role in these efforts, rescuing 14,260 people of different nationalities who were attempting dangerous sea crossings. These individuals were aiming to reach the northern shores of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean…