Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE
Recent efforts to tighten asylum policies in Germany may not effectively deter irregular migration, according to findings from a Senegal migration survey. The study, conducted by the Leibniz Institute for Economic Research (RWI), examined the influence of proposed policy changes on individuals’ intentions to migrate from Senegal to Europe. Germany implemented reforms last November aimed at curbing irregular immigration, including faster processing of asylum applications for migrants from certain countries like Senegal and Ghana, and accelerated deportation processes. Additionally, measures such as replacing cash with payment cards for asylum seekers and extending the waiting period for regular unemployment benefits were…
A recent German study conducted by researchers from the universities of Konstanz and Bamberg, along with the Nuremberg Institute for Employment Market Research, sheds light on significant disparities in asylum approval rates across Germany’s 16 federal states. Published in Migration Studies by Oxford University Press, the study utilized data from Germany’s Federal Bureau for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) to analyze asylum decision-making processes. The study highlights puzzling variations in asylum approval rates between states, with some regions showing double-digit variances in the number of applications granted. These differences are believed to be influenced by regional political attitudes towards migration, with…
Alaji, a 32-year-old Senegalese migrant, finds himself embroiled in a legal battle in Italy, fighting to overturn a conviction for smuggling migrants and causing death. Despite serving his seven-year sentence, Alaji maintains his innocence with the support of the organization Baobab Experience. Hailing from a large, impoverished family in Senegal, Alaji arrived in Italy eight years ago seeking opportunities to support his mother and siblings. However, upon his arrival, he faced linguistic and educational barriers, unable to speak French or Arabic and lacking basic literacy skills. Alaji’s troubles escalated when he was implicated in a smuggling operation that resulted in…
Rome and Tunis have solidified their commitment to collaborating on labor initiatives, with a recent agreement aiming to bring 12,000 Tunisian workers to Italy over the next three years. The agreement, originally conceived in late October of the previous year, was officially formalized through a signing ceremony held on Monday, March 4th. Representatives from the Italian Ministry of Labor and their Tunisian counterparts came together to sign the final protocol in Tunis. This agreement signifies a strategic partnership between the two nations, aimed at addressing labor shortages in Italy while providing opportunities for Tunisian workers. Under the terms of the…
The United Nations has declared 2023 as the deadliest year for migrants since 2014, with at least 8,565 people losing their lives on migration routes worldwide. This staggering figure marks a tragic 20% increase compared to 2022, underscoring the urgent need for action to prevent further loss of life, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The IOM’s Missing Migrants project, which documents deaths and disappearances of migrants globally, revealed the alarming statistics, prompting calls for greater collective action to ensure safe migration for all. Ugochi Daniels, Deputy Director General of IOM, emphasized the necessity of renewed efforts to…
On March 4 2023, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the National Association of Italian Municipalities (ANCI) solidified their partnership by signing an agreement aimed at bolstering migrant reception within Italy. The agreement focuses on strengthening Italy’s System of Reception and Integration (SAI), a key initiative resulting from the collaborative efforts of ANCI and UNHCR under the National Asylum Program (PNA) established in 2001. Currently, the SAI system provides refuge for over 35,000 individuals, primarily consisting of refugees. This accounts for approximately 25% of the broader shelter system in Italy, which accommodates around 138,000 people. The newly forged agreement…
British government data has revealed a significant surge in migrant arrivals as more than 400 individuals crossed the English Channel to reach the UK on Monday. This influx, facilitated by seven small boats, marks the highest number of arrivals in a single day this year, closely following the arrival of 327 migrants in Dover the previous day. In response to these escalating numbers, Home Secretary James Cleverly chaired a pivotal meeting of the “Calais group” in Brussels. Comprising representatives from France, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and European Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson, the group convened to address pressing migration issues.…
In Austria, a dramatic rescue unfolded on Sunday 3rd iof March 2024 as authorities discovered a 14-year-old Syrian migrant stranded in the treacherous mountains along the border with Slovenia. The teenager, suffering from severe hypothermia and injuries, was found in a remote area known to be part of a new smuggling route into the country. Austrian rescue teams swiftly sprang into action, responding to a distress call from a vigilant 61-year-old walker who heard the teenager’s cries for help. Located at an altitude of 1,200 meters near Bärengraben by Rosenbach, the young migrant was in a dire state when rescuers…
Tragedy struck off the coast of Spain’s Canary Islands as a boat carrying migrants from Mauritania was discovered by Spanish authorities late Tuesday. The vessel, spotted near the remote island of El Hierro, was carrying dozens of individuals seeking refuge. Amid the rescue operation conducted by Spain’s maritime rescue service, Salvamento Marítimo, a grim discovery was made: four individuals had perished during the treacherous journey. The survivors, numbering 64, were plucked from the vessel, but many were found in precarious health conditions, highlighting the perilous nature of their voyage. Among the rescued, two individuals in critical condition were airlifted to…
The Child Allowance program, known as Kinderzuschlag, is designed to provide additional financial support to low-income families in Germany. This benefit stands as one of the social security benefits residents enjoy in the country. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the key regulations for parents seeking to avail themselves of this support. Eligibility Criteria The Child Allowance is available to single parents and couples with children under the age of 25 who are unmarried and reside in the same household, provided that the following conditions are met: Determining Eligibility The eligibility for the Child Allowance is determined based on the following…