Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested Felix Meletz Guarcas, a 45-year-old Guatemalan migrant, on charges of child sexual assault. His case has reignited debates on the relationship between local law enforcement and federal immigration policies. Guarcas, who entered the United States illegally, was apprehended on November 20, 2024, following a series of alarming allegations. Guarcas’s history with U.S. law enforcement spans over two decades. In 2002, he was arrested for disorderly conduct and felony assault on police officers, for which he received probation. However, his recent offenses are far more serious. In September 2023, he was arrested by Providence…

A Singaporean charity has introduced a groundbreaking initiative to support migrant workers battling severe illnesses. The CritiCare Fund for Migrant Workers aims to raise 410,500 Singapore dollars (approximately $307,875) to provide financial aid for 20 workers over the next two years. The fund seeks to fill the gap left by inadequate insurance coverage, ensuring that workers facing high medical expenses can access necessary treatments. Managed by Ray of Hope, a registered charity regulated by Singapore’s Ministry of Social and Family Development, the initiative will allocate funds based on decisions made by a community-led council. This council includes medical professionals, employers,…

The Indonesian government has announced plans to help its migrant workers by providing financial support through cooperatives. This initiative is a joint effort by the Ministry of Cooperatives and the Ministry of Migrant Workers Protection (P2MI) to make life easier for workers preparing to go abroad and those returning home. Deputy Minister of Cooperatives, Ferry Juliantono, said that many migrant workers face financial challenges when preparing for overseas jobs. They need money for things like document processing, training, and travel. To solve this, the government will provide funding through the Fund Management Institution for Cooperatives, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises…

President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Rodney S. Scott and Caleb Vitello to lead key agencies as part of his intensified immigration policies. Scott, a former Border Patrol chief from Trump’s first term, will head Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Vitello, an experienced Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official, will serve as acting director of ICE. In his announcement, Trump commended Scott for his role in enforcing border security during his previous term, including implementing key policies that reduced immigration. Scott was removed from his position by the Biden administration in 2021 but has since been vocal about border security issues,…

The Liberia Refugee, Repatriation, and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC) has registered nearly 7,000 Burkinabe migrants and asylum seekers across Maryland, River Gee, and Grand Gedeh counties. This effort aims to address the growing migration crisis fueled by political turmoil, ethnic conflicts, and a coup in Burkina Faso. LRRRC Regional Director Thomas Jokan highlighted the importance of this registration process, noting the challenges posed by the influx of Burkinabe migrants on Liberia’s resources and infrastructure. While their contributions to agriculture are significant, their unregulated presence has created security, economic, and social pressures. The profiling effort, approved by the Liberian government, aims to…

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum announced plans to propose an agreement with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to handle migrant deportations more effectively. Sheinbaum intends to ask Trump to send non-Mexican migrants directly to their home countries instead of deporting them to the Mexican border. Mexico has previously accepted non-Mexican migrants, especially from countries like Cuba and Venezuela, which often resist deportation flights from the U.S. but accept them from Mexico. However, concerns are growing over the potential impact of Trump’s promised large-scale deportations when he takes office on January 20. One major worry for Mexico is the possible mass deportation of…

The Italian Senate has approved the Migration Flows Decree with 99 votes in favor, 65 against, and one abstention. This new law brings stricter rules on migration but has faced strong opposition from judges, political parties, and humanitarian groups. One controversial part of the law, called the “Musk Rule,” moves decisions about migrant detentions from specialized courts to appeals courts. Italy’s Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM) rejected this change, saying it could cause delays and involve judges who are not trained to handle these complex cases. The CSM also warned that it might harm Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan.…

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has released a detailed report highlighting serious human rights abuses faced by migrant workers in Saudi Arabia. The report outlines a pattern of exploitation, including unpaid wages, forced relocations, unexpected contractual changes, inadequate safety measures, and harsh working conditions. These issues are compounded by the country’s restrictive Kafalah system, where workers’ rights are tied to their employers’ sponsorship, leaving many vulnerable to abuse. The HRW report is particularly significant as Saudi Arabia positions itself as a global sports host, including its bid for the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Concerns have been raised about potential labor abuses…

The French navy carried out a rescue operation on Wednesday, saving 85 migrants stranded while attempting the dangerous journey across the English Channel. According to maritime authorities, the incident occurred near France’s Pas-de-Calais region, where a migrant boat became stuck on a sandbank. A navy tugboat managed to save 80 people from the stranded vessel. In a separate operation, another five migrants were rescued from a different boat nearby. All those rescued were transported to Boulogne-sur-Mer, where emergency services and border police provided them with necessary assistance. This rescue adds to the growing concerns about the risks migrants face while…

An investigation has revealed that Greek authorities imprisoned nine Egyptian survivors of the June 2023 Pylos shipwreck, despite significant evidence proving their innocence. These men, known as the “Pylos 9,” were falsely accused of migrant smuggling and spent over a year in jail before a court in Kalamata acquitted them and dropped the case due to lack of jurisdiction. The Pylos shipwreck involved the Adriana, a fishing vessel carrying hundreds of migrants, which capsized 50 nautical miles southwest of Greece. While 82 deaths were officially confirmed, survivors claim that closer to 500 people perished in one of the deadliest maritime…