Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

As elections loom in the EU and UK, misinformation surrounding immigration in Europe has been circulating, fueling false narratives and inflammatory debates. One such claim, circulating on Facebook, suggests that nearly 97% of people receiving Spain’s minimum basic income are immigrants. However, official data from Spain’s Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration reveals that only 17.6% of beneficiaries are foreigners, with the majority being Spanish nationals. Additionally, the claim misrepresents the total number of beneficiaries, which stands at around 600,000 households, comprising almost 1.8 million individuals. Similarly, Dutch far-right activist Eva Vlaardingerbroek propagated misinformation suggesting that immigrant populations dominate…

President Joe Biden is set to sign an executive order on Tuesday allowing the U.S. to reject migrants entering the country without legal permission, particularly during periods of high migration activity. The decision comes amid escalating concerns over border security and immigration management. According to a lawmaker briefed by a White House official, the order will be invoked when the number of migrants crossing the border between legal ports of entry exceeds 2,500, automatically triggering closure conditions. Biden plans to utilize section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, a provision also utilized by former President Donald Trump for similar…

In a collaborative effort, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Thailand recently organized a two-day training workshop on migration reporting for journalists. Held at the Pullman Bangkok King Power on May 28th and 29th, 2024, the workshop aimed to deepen understanding of migration issues among media professionals while highlighting the role of Thai government agencies and international cooperation frameworks in migration management. Fifteen participants representing various Thai media agencies attended the workshop, which featured sessions on diverse topics such as the current migration landscape in Thailand and the region, essential terminology, combating misinformation,…

Recent immigration policy changes in Portugal have closed off the legal route to residency for foreigners who entered the country irregularly, sparking concerns about increased hardships for migrants. Previously, regardless of their entry status, migrants could attain legal status in Portugal through employment, entrepreneurship, or freelancing, fostering the nation’s reputation as one of the EU’s most immigrant-friendly countries. Since 2007, Lisbon had allowed individuals with valid visas to work across Europe to regularize their status. In 2018, this provision was extended to include those entering without valid visas. However, these long-standing processes have been abruptly halted by the new government’s…

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has issued a stark warning about the extreme dangers faced by migrants on their way to Europe. UNHCR special envoy Vincent Cochetel emphasized the need for increased rescue operations and stronger cooperation with local authorities, alongside a call for more funding from donor countries. Cochetel highlighted the importance of providing better access to legal pathways and improving protection services for both current and potential victims. A recent report by the UNHCR revealed that every year, hundreds of thousands of people from sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and the Middle East risk their lives to reach Europe. Many…

An olive orchard in Tuscany, managed by the Monasterio Foundation, has become a beacon of hope and opportunity for three asylum seekers. Abdur Raheem and Ghafar Ahmed, both 19 and from Pakistan, and Omolayo Adebowaie, a 33-year-old from Nigeria, have been revitalizing the orchard while receiving valuable training for their future. This initiative is part of a pilot project aimed at promoting the inclusion of migrants in the production of “Oil of the Heart,” a zero-product-miles extra-virgin olive oil. This effort also raises funds for health research. The project offers the asylum seekers a chance to integrate into Italian society…

A group of 49 Syrian refugees, including 17 children and adolescents, have arrived in Italy from Beirut, resettled under the Humanitarian Corridors program. These families, who had been living in camps in the Bekaa Valley, the Akkar region, and on the outskirts of Beirut, landed at Rome’s Fiumicino airport on May 30. The refugees fled to Lebanon from war-torn cities in Syria such as Aleppo, Damascus, and Homs. Their arrival in Italy was facilitated by the Humanitarian Corridors initiative, a collaboration between the Community of Sant’Egidio, the Federation of Evangelical Churches in Italy, and the Waldensian Evangelical Church, in partnership…

Portugal’s Prime Minister Luis Montenegro has made big changes to the country’s immigration rules, aiming to stop what he calls a “wide-open doors” approach. The new rules, which started on June 3rd, 2024, cancel a key policy. This policy let non-EU migrants come to Portugal without a job contract. They could then apply for residency after paying social security for a year. But now, migrants must have a job contract before moving to Portugal. These changes mark a shift in one of Europe’s most liberal immigration regimes, reflecting a broader political move to the right within Portugal. Border restrictions have…

Many Syrians in Lebanon have a tough choice: stay in a place that’s getting more unfriendly, or go back to parts of Syria controlled by rebels, which is very dangerous. Going back is risky, and things in Syria are still really bad. Walid Muhammad Abdel-Baqi decided to leave Lebanon for Syria after his son was violently beaten to death. His son, Ali Walid, had gotten lost on his way to his sister’s place in Sidon and was later found severely beaten and left outside a police station. Abdel-Baqi believes Ali was targeted because he was Syrian. Lebanon, with a population…

Germany’s national football coach, Julian Nagelsmann, has sharply criticized a survey that appeared in a documentary by the public broadcaster WDR, labeling it “racist.” The survey asked participants whether they preferred more white players to represent Germany’s national team, with 21% of respondents voting affirmatively. Coach Nagelsmann echoed sentiments expressed by Joshua Kimmich, a versatile player for Bayern Munich and the German national team, who also condemned the survey. “Josh responded really well, with a very clear and thought-out statement,” Nagelsmann said. “I agree that it is racist. We need to wake up. Many people in Europe had to flee……