Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

The UK government says it has reached a record number of arrests involving undocumented migrant workers following a nationwide crackdown. The campaign, known as Operation Sterling, targets people working without legal papers in takeaways, delivery services, beauty salons, construction sites, and car washes. Officials say the goal is to reduce the demand for illegal migration and remove incentives used by smuggling networks. According to the Home Office, arrests linked to unauthorized work increased by 63% over the past year. Authorities also carried out more workplace raids than ever before, with more than 11,000 inspections taking place from October 2024 to…

An Afghan migrant, Safi Dawood, has appeared in court after being accused of a triple stabbing in Uxbridge that left one man dead and two others injured. Dawood, 22, is said to have carried out the attacks on Monday, October 27, at a home where he was renting a room. The case has drawn major attention because he had previously entered the UK in a lorry in 2020 before later being granted asylum in 2022. According to the court, Dawood allegedly stabbed his landlord, 45-year-old Shahzad Farrukh, inside the property before a 14-year-old boy was also reportedly injured. Both managed…

A recent case has raised questions after a migrant who committed a crime was given £500 to leave the UK. The man, Hadush Kebatu, had been released from HMP Chelmsford by mistake instead of being transferred to immigration detention. After a two-day search, he was found in London and later deported to Ethiopia. The payment sparked confusion and criticism, as many people questioned why someone being removed from the country would receive money. According to the Home Office, the payment was an “operational decision” to prevent delays and extra costs. Officials explained that if the man had refused to board…

Ashley Community Housing (ACH), a registered housing provider that supports refugees and migrants in the UK, has announced the appointment of Oona Goldsworthy as the new chair of its board. Goldsworthy is well known for her experience in social housing and community development. Before joining ACH, she served as chief executive of Brunelcare, a respected later-living housing and care provider, where she has led since 2019. Goldsworthy is also involved in several organizations focused on social care and community support. She sits on the boards of the National Care Forum and Care & Support West, co-chairs the Bristol One City…

Taiwan has announced a new policy that will allow migrant workers to take jobs in the hospitality sector starting next year. The plan is designed to address a serious labour shortage in hotels and related services. According to officials, migrant workers who are hired in this sector must earn a minimum monthly salary of NT$32,000. Chen Yu-hsiu, director-general of the Tourism Administration, said the recruitment program will begin in the first quarter of the year. The migrant workers will be able to work in roles such as housekeeping, cleaning, front desk service, and food service. This move is part of…

A Maryknoll missionary has become an important support figure for many migrant workers in Taiwan who face unfair labour conditions. Charles Niece first traveled to Taiwan in 2019 through a Maryknoll volunteer program after graduating from Seton Hall University. He expected to spend one year learning and serving, but his experience grew into a long-term mission focused on defending the rights of migrant workers, especially those from the Philippines. Niece first worked alongside Father Joyalito Tajonera, also known as Father Joy, who runs a church-based shelter for migrant workers in Taichung. The parish is a lively community where many Filipino…

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a major change to how migrants renew their work permits. Under the new policy, migrants will no longer receive automatic extensions for their Employment Authorization Documents. Instead, they will now go through a full review and background check before their permits are renewed. This change will begin in 2025 and affects many migrants already living and working in the US. This new rule replaces a policy from the Biden administration, which allowed migrants to receive up to 540 extra days on their work permits automatically while their renewal applications were…

A new report shows that six out of every ten people who received unemployment benefits in Belgium in 2023 have a migrant background. This includes people who were born with another nationality or have parents from abroad. The figures were shared after a request from MP Sophie Thémont and reported by Het Laatste Nieuws. The data highlights how unemployment affects migrant families more deeply than native-born Belgians. Employment minister David Clarinval told Bel RTL that these numbers were “surprising” and said more effort is needed to support and integrate people into the workplace. He also mentioned that some benefit fraud…

A tragic incident occurred on Tuesday off the coast of Sorman in north-west Libya, where 18 migrants lost their lives after their boat sank just hours into the journey. The boat, which was carrying around 130 people, had departed early in the morning from the city of Al-Zawiya. The group included men, women, and children from Egypt, Eritrea, and Sudan who were attempting to reach Europe by sea. Reports from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) confirmed that rough and dangerous waves caused the boat to capsize shortly after departure. Rescue teams were able to save 64 survivors from the…

A Somali migrant who crossed the Channel to the UK has been sentenced to life in prison after murdering a man inside a Lloyds Bank branch in Derby. The attack happened shortly after his asylum application was rejected. The victim, 37-year-old Gurvinder Singh Johal, was described as a loving father, husband, and friend whose death has left his family heartbroken. The attacker, 47-year-old Haybe Cabdiraxmaan Nur, came to the UK last year after paying €400 for the journey. Hours before the killing, he contacted a support charity and reportedly threatened to kill many people. The court heard that he also…