Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

The coastguard of Tunisia has recovered the bodies of 16 migrants and refugees off the country’s eastern coast, marking yet another tragic incident in the ongoing Mediterranean migration crisis. According to the National Guard, the bodies were discovered over the weekend and on Monday, but have yet to be identified due to the advanced state of decomposition. Houssem Eddine Jebabli, a senior official in the National Guard, confirmed that samples have been taken for identification purposes. The bodies were found in three different areas of Mahdia, a region recognized for high irregular migration activity. Tunisia and neighboring Libya have become…

Iran has recently deported approximately 38,000 Afghan migrants from Kerman Province in southeastern Iran, according to local media reports. This move comes as authorities in Tehran increase efforts to manage undocumented immigration and reduce the number of Afghan migrants within its borders. Naser Farshid, the police commander of Kerman Province, announced that businesses in the region have been advised not to employ foreign nationals without proper legal documentation. The deportations are part of a larger national strategy aiming to send back up to two million Afghan migrants by the end of the Persian calendar year. Earlier this month, Iran’s national…

Since Israel invaded Lebanon in late September, over 1.2 million people have fled their homes, with many now seeking refuge abroad. As of October 23, 2024, Europe faces a potential refugee crisis, raising concerns that limited migration pathways and heightened border restrictions could echo the 2015 migration surge. With public opinion more resistant to refugee intake and political shifts toward anti-immigration policies, the European Union (EU) faces daunting obstacles in addressing the immediate and long-term needs of Lebanese refugees. In recent years, Lebanon has served as a refuge for around 1.5 million Syrian refugees. Now, this movement is reversing as…

Italian judge Silvia Albano, who recently chose not to authorize the detention of 12 asylum seekers sent to Albania, has filed a complaint after receiving severe death threats. On October 24, Albano reported the escalating harassment, which includes around 30 threatening messages each day, to the prosecutor’s office. The threats, many of which accuse her of being “corrupt” and “pro-migrant,” often express hopes of violence against her, calling her a “militant” judge with anti-government motives. Albano, head of the Magistratura Democratica (MD) association and a prominent figure in Rome’s immigration court, has become a focus of criticism, particularly from right-wing…

In a bid to address labour shortages, New Zealand is implementing a significant change to its immigration policy starting December 2, 2024. This new rule grants open work rights to more partners of migrant workers, allowing them to work without restriction. This shift will enable partners to work with any employer, helping families stay together while also strengthening New Zealand’s workforce in key sectors that are currently experiencing talent gaps. The new open work rights policy will apply to partners of Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) holders working in high-demand roles under the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of…

During a recent interview, former President Donald Trump announced that, if elected, he would work to deport Haitian migrants currently residing legally in Springfield, Ohio. Speaking at a Texas fundraising event with NewsNation’s Ali Bradley, Trump expressed his intentions to eliminate the federal program that provides temporary protected status (TPS) to Haitian immigrants in the area. Trump, who has made Springfield a focal point in his campaign, previously alleged that Haitian migrants in the town were straining local resources, even claiming they were resorting to eating local wildlife and pets. Since these statements, tensions in Springfield have escalated. Reports indicate…

New York City is set to close the migrant shelter on Randalls Island by the end of February, Mayor Eric Adams announced, citing a drop in the number of asylum seekers needing shelter. The large facility, which once held thousands of migrants, will soon be returned to its original purpose as athletic fields and parkland. This decision comes as the city’s strategies to reduce its shelter demand appear to be paying off, though Adams emphasized that the crisis is not over. “Thanks to our smart management and advocacy, we have turned the corner on this crisis,” he stated. The Randalls…

In a move aimed at enforcing immigration laws and promoting lawful migration, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently repatriated a group of undocumented Indian nationals. The individuals were returned on a chartered flight on October 22, after failing to establish a legal basis for staying in the country. The repatriation underscores the US’s commitment to counter illegal migration and discourage smuggling activities that exploit vulnerable migrants. This latest deportation was part of an ongoing collaboration between the US and India to address irregular migration challenges. According to the DHS, it continues to engage with international partners, including…

In a recent review, the United Nations Human Rights Committee expressed concerns over Greece’s approach to gender-based violence, migrant pushbacks, and rights abuses. While Greece received praise for initiatives aimed at protecting unaccompanied minors, the UN raised questions about protections for other vulnerable groups and systemic issues within the country. The Committee addressed significant gaps in Greece’s response to gender-based violence. It questioned the absence of a coordinated national strategy and highlighted Greek law 4800/2021, which allows domestic violence offenders to retain child custody until conviction. The UN questioned why femicide remains unclassified as a distinct crime under Greek law.…

A recent investigation by the BBC has uncovered a smuggling operation in Essen, Germany, where dinghies and supplies for small-boat crossings are sold to migrants planning to cross the English Channel. Essen, located around 250 miles from the French coast, has become a storage hub for these vessels. In the past year, over 28,000 migrants have reached the UK through Channel crossings, an increase from the same period in 2023. Smugglers offered the BBC’s undercover reporter, posing as a Syrian migrant, a £12,500 package that includes a boat, engine, fuel, pump, and life jackets. Most of these vessels are manufactured…