Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

The European Commission has called on Greece to investigate serious allegations of migrant pushbacks at its border, stressing that all border management must respect fundamental human rights. Speaking in Brussels, European Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert said it is the responsibility of individual member states to examine any reported misconduct. He noted that while the Commission is aware of the claims, it is up to national authorities to establish the facts and take appropriate action if wrongdoing is confirmed. The statement follows a report by the BBC, which alleged that Greek police recruited migrants to carry out violent pushbacks against other…

The UK government has launched an investigation after a BBC report revealed that some migrants may be receiving advice to make false claims in order to remain in the country. According to the report, certain individuals are allegedly being encouraged to claim they are gay or victims of domestic abuse to strengthen their asylum applications. These claims, if accepted, can offer protection under UK asylum laws, particularly for those who may face persecution in their home countries. A spokesperson for the UK Prime Minister stated that there are “robust safeguards” in place to ensure all asylum claims are carefully and…

Greek authorities have rescued more than 300 migrants off the coast of Crete in recent days, highlighting the island’s growing role as a key entry point into Europe. The rescues, carried out over two days, reflect a sharp rise in crossings along the increasingly dangerous route from Libya. According to officials, at least 369 migrants arrived on Crete since Sunday, with many coming from countries such as Bangladesh, Egypt, Yemen, and Sudan. Nearly half were rescued from makeshift boats battling rough seas south of the island, as emergency operations continued despite strong winds and challenging conditions. The Greek coast guard…

Spain’s ambitious plan to legalize hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants is creating both hope and concern, as government services prepare for a major surge in applications. The policy, introduced under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, is being described as a landmark step toward inclusion, but experts warn that the system may struggle to cope with demand. The Spanish government estimates that up to 750,000 migrants could apply for residence and work permits before the June 30 deadline. While the initiative is seen as a positive move for social justice, lawyers and migrant support organizations say there is still a lack…

The Netherlands has introduced a simpler online process for renewing residence permits under its highly skilled migrant scheme. Under the new update, applicants are no longer required to enter their exact salary details in the online application form. Instead, a self-declaration confirming compliance with salary requirements is now considered sufficient. According to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), applicants must still confirm that they meet key conditions. These include earning the required minimum salary, receiving pay that matches market standards, and ensuring that wages are paid into a personal bank account within one month. The change is expected to reduce…

The government of Germany agreed to provide €6.85 billion to its federal states to help cover the cost of housing and integrating migrants in 2019, according to a government source. The funding decision came as Germany continued efforts to manage the integration of more than one million migrants and refugees who arrived during the 2015–2016 migration surge. At the time, the policy direction was shaped under then-Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose decision to open Germany’s borders sparked both support and political backlash. Part of the funds—€2.44 billion—was allocated for integration measures such as German language classes, while €1.8 billion was set…

The Home Office is set to announce the closure of 11 asylum hotels as part of a wider plan to phase out the use of hotels for housing asylum seekers in the United Kingdom. The use of hotels began during the COVID-19 pandemic as a temporary solution but has remained in place, sparking ongoing debate. Currently, nearly 200 hotels are still being used to accommodate about 30,000 asylum seekers, while more than 70,000 others live in alternative housing such as shared homes and former military sites. The policy has faced criticism from different sides. Some local protests have taken place…

A new child support program in Gyeonggi Province is raising concerns among undocumented migrant families, who fear it could expose them to deportation. The initiative, introduced by local authorities, offers financial support of 100,000 to 150,000 won monthly for children born to undocumented migrants. It also provides access to public services such as libraries and support from NGOs. However, many families are reluctant to apply due to legal risks tied to South Korea’s immigration laws. Under Article 84 of the Immigration Act, public officials must report undocumented migrants they encounter, except in cases involving medical or educational services. Child care…

Spain is facing new legal concerns over its plan to grant residency to around 500,000 undocumented migrants, after the Council of State flagged key gaps in the proposal. The advisory body raised concerns about background checks, warning against allowing migrants to submit self-declared criminal records when official documents from their home countries are unavailable. It urged the government to introduce stricter verification measures to avoid potential risks. The plan, expected to open for applications later this month, aims to provide a three-year work and residence permit to eligible migrants. These include individuals who applied for asylum before December 31, 2025,…

Anneleen Van Bossuyt, Belgium’s Minister for Asylum and Migration, has travelled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo as part of efforts to discourage people from seeking asylum in Belgium. The visit comes amid a sharp rise in asylum applications from Congolese nationals. Official figures show that applications increased from about 1,250 in 2023 to 2,500 in 2025, with more than 450 requests already recorded in the first three months of 2026. Speaking on the issue, Anneleen Van Bossuyt described the numbers as too high and noted that only a small percentage of applicants are granted protection. In 2025, fewer…