Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE
A dramatic Home Office raid led to the arrest of a 37-year-old Kosovan national, who had applied for 13 passports, claiming they were for his children. The man, who had the right to remain in the UK, was detained during coordinated raids across London on suspicion of fraud by false representation. He attempted to obtain these passports for foreign nationals, all under the age of two, whom he claimed to be the father of. The case is believed to be part of a larger scheme involving organised criminals who acquire identity documents to sell to people who are not eligible…
New York City has announced plans to shut down a number of migrant shelters, including the large family shelter at Floyd Bennett Field in southern Brooklyn, by January 15, 2024. The closure of this shelter, which is located on federal land, comes just days before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration. This move is part of a broader plan to close 24 shelters across the city and surrounding regions by the end of March 2024. The closures will include 15 shelters located within the five boroughs, as well as 10 others across upstate New York in places like Albany, Buffalo, and Poughkeepsie.…
Egypt holds a vital position in global migration, serving both as a source of migrants and a transit hub for those heading to Europe. Key issues driving Egyptians to seek better lives abroad include overpopulation and poverty. While the official unemployment rate is 7.1%, many experience hidden unemployment due to subsidized government jobs. With about 25% of the population living on less than $3.65 daily, economic hardships are prevalent. Cairo, housing over 20 million people, highlights stark contrasts between affluent neighborhoods and overcrowded areas where some sleep outdoors. Egypt’s population has surged from 77.5 million two decades ago to 114.5…
The European Union is set to examine a new law targeting migrant smuggling during the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting. This law, replacing the 2002 Facilitators’ Package, aims to address penalties for assisting unauthorized entry or residence in the EU. However, critics warn it could intensify the criminalization of migrants, their families, and individuals supporting them out of solidarity. The Council’s version of the law emphasizes “minimum harmonization,” allowing member states to adopt stricter criminalization measures. The proposal retains financial or material benefit as a key factor for criminal offenses but broadens definitions, potentially increasing prosecutions. Altruistic actions might…
Britain and Germany have signed a significant joint action plan aimed at tackling migrant smuggling gangs, signaling a strengthened commitment to addressing irregular migration. The agreement was announced on December 10, 2024, during a high-profile meeting of interior and migration ministers from across Europe in London. Chaired by UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, the gathering included key officials from Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK, alongside Britain’s border security commander Martin Hewitt. The meeting was a response to the alarming rise in undocumented migrants crossing the English Channel in dangerous, overcrowded boats. So far in 2024, nearly 34,000…
SOS Méditerranée, a maritime rescue charity, is holding its first Escales Solidaires festival in Paris to raise awareness and gain support for migrants and asylum seekers crossing the Mediterranean Sea. This sea route is known as one of the most dangerous paths for people fleeing war, poverty, and persecution. The festival, which runs until January 7, is taking place in Paris and the Seine-Saint-Denis area. The goal of the festival is to show the personal, human side of migration, moving away from just the cold statistics. Through photography, film, and performance, the festival helps people understand the individual stories behind…
The Indonesian government is urging health students to explore lucrative job opportunities in Japan and Germany, where aging populations and shrinking workforces have created high demand for healthcare professionals. Christina Aryani, Deputy Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI), emphasized the need for skilled workers in these countries, which offer promising salaries and career growth. Speaking at an event in Yogyakarta, Aryani explained that both Japan and Germany have government-to-government agreements to facilitate the placement of Indonesian health workers. According to data, Japan will need 2.5 million health professionals by 2025, offering monthly salaries ranging from Rp15 million…
FIFA’s announcement to award Saudi Arabia the 2034 World Cup has drawn sharp criticism from human rights advocates, who fear a repeat of the abuses witnessed during Qatar’s 2022 preparations. On November 30, FIFA praised Saudi Arabia’s bid, giving it the highest evaluation score among contenders and categorizing its human rights risks as “medium.” The same day, FIFA rejected recommendations to compensate migrant workers exploited during Qatar’s World Cup construction, sparking accusations of disregard for past lessons. Human rights groups have condemned the decision as dismissive and insulting, highlighting the organization’s failure to address systemic labor abuses. Qatar’s preparations for…
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has organized 30 Voluntary Humanitarian Return (VHR) flights this year, including one on December 5 that brought 175 migrants from Aden, Yemen, back to Ethiopia. These flights have helped nearly 4,800 migrants return home in 2024, offering them a fresh start after facing severe hardships. IOM’s Chief of Mission in Yemen, Abdusattor Esoev, described these flights as a vital lifeline for stranded migrants. However, he highlighted the urgent need for more international funding to sustain these operations and meet the growing demand for assistance. Migrants in Yemen endure harsh conditions, with little access to…
New York City Mayor Eric Adams is preparing to meet with President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming border czar, Tom Homan, on December 12 at City Hall. This meeting is expected to tackle the persistent migrant crisis and explore new ways to manage the influx of asylum seekers into the city. Mayor Adams has shared his vision for a more structured approach, suggesting that migrants be directed to areas in the country where their skills and labor are most needed. He believes this could help alleviate population pressures in cities like New York while addressing labor shortages in other regions. Adams described…