Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have expressed their condolences for the victims of two tragic migrant shipwrecks in the Ionian Sea. In a joint statement, these organizations emphasized the devastating loss of life. The first shipwreck resulted in 10 confirmed deaths and the rescue of 51 people by the NGO ResQship’s Nadir vessel. The second shipwreck claimed 15 lives, with 50 people missing and only 11 survivors. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported that entire families from Afghanistan were among the presumed dead, highlighting the perilous journey…

Lucrezia Bosio has spent almost her entire life in the UK, considering herself British in every way—except legally. Despite living in southwest London since infancy, holding settled status, and engaging in British life, Lucrezia discovered she couldn’t vote in the Brexit referendum due to her immigration status. Lucrezia is among over five million people in the UK who cannot vote in the upcoming general election on 4 July due to their immigration status, 2024 according to the Migrant Democracy Project. This group includes individuals who have lived and contributed to the UK for decades but lack voting rights. Over the…

Labour’s proposed changes to immigration policy could mean that up to 60,000 migrants, who were initially facing deportation to Rwanda, may now have the opportunity to receive asylum in the UK, according to an analysis by the Refugee Council. The Council also predicts that an additional 27,000 migrants will cross the Channel by the end of this year, further contributing to the backlog of asylum claims awaiting processing under a potential Labour government. Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, has promised to immediately stop Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda deportation scheme upon assuming office. This policy shift would redirect…

In the first quarter of 2024, 103,515 non-EU citizens were instructed to leave an EU country, with 30,570 of these individuals being returned to another country following an order to leave. This data, provided by Eurostat, highlights a 7% decrease in the number of non-EU citizens ordered to leave compared to the same period in 2023. Interestingly, the number of people returned to another country increased by 11% over the same timeframe. Comparing these figures to the previous quarter, the number of orders to leave decreased by 2%, while the number of returns saw a 6% rise. The majority of…

A group representing migrant workers has criticized recent changes to visa rules, calling them “heart-wrenching” and “ruthless and insensitive.” The government announced that holders of an Accredited Employer Visa (AEWV) at Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) levels 4 and 5, who do not have a pathway to residency, can no longer support work, visitor, or student visa applications for their partners and dependent children. ANZSCO levels 4 and 5 include workers with qualifications equivalent to NCEA levels 1, 2, or 3. Immigration New Zealand stated that these changes are part of broader modifications to the AEWV…

Muhammad Umar Arif, an irregular migrant from Pakistan, embarked on a treacherous journey to Italy in search of a better life. The voyage was fraught with immense physical and emotional challenges, as he navigated dangerous terrain, harsh weather conditions, and the constant threat of exploitation. Each step of his journey left him with deep and lasting scars, both visible and invisible, that would take years to heal. Arif’s journey began in Pakistan, where economic hardships and limited opportunities forced him to seek a brighter future abroad. Leaving behind his family and everything he knew, he joined a group of migrants…

Italian police recently dismantled a sophisticated smuggling ring that utilized luxury cars to transport Chinese migrants into the country. The operation, as described by authorities in a statement on Wednesday, involved migrants posing as “unsuspecting Asian citizens,” elegantly attired and carrying minimal luggage, traveling in high-end vehicles driven by Chinese nationals long resident in Italy and fluent in Italian. The investigation commenced in April when Italian border officials intercepted a Chinese national at the border with Slovenia during routine inspections. Upon inspection, authorities discovered the individual was transporting four undocumented Chinese migrants. This incident prompted a broader investigation, uncovering a…

As Euro 2024 captures global attention, another significant football story is unfolding in Spain. On dusty pitches and local fields, the sport is a lifeline for many migrants, especially young asylum seekers. Spain, a major gateway to Europe, welcomes a constant flow of migrants each year. In 2023 alone, nearly 57,000 individuals arrived, many escaping hardships in South America and Africa. Among them were over 2,500 unaccompanied minors seeking refuge. Football clubs across Spain are providing these migrants with a sense of belonging and opportunity. One such club is FC Darna, founded in Barcelona in 2019. Despite starting with limited…

Libya recently repatriated 174 irregular migrants back to Nigeria, including 39 women and six children, with more returns planned in the coming weeks, according to the country’s interior ministry. The operations, conducted by either plane or road depending on the nationality, are part of ongoing efforts to manage irregular migration. On June 25, 2024, Mohammed Baredaa, head of Libya’s Interior Ministry’s department tasked with combating irregular migration, announced the repatriation. He stated, “We have initiated the repatriation of 174 irregular migrants of Nigerian origin, including 39 women and six children.” This effort reflects Libya’s strategy to continue these repatriations in…

In central Italy, Indians came together in a strong display of solidarity, marching to demand an end to exploitation in the agricultural sector. This protest followed the tragic death of Satnam Singh, a 31-year-old worker who lost his life in a devastating workplace accident. Singh, employed without legal papers, suffered a fatal injury when his arm was tragically severed by a machine while on duty. Adding to the distress, his heartless employer callously abandoned him by the roadside, leaving Singh with his severed limb. This callous act has sparked deep outrage and prompted fervent calls for justice among the Indian…