Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

Spain is facing one of the biggest immigration regularization drives in its modern history as hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants rush to apply for legal status before the June 30, 2026 deadline. The extraordinary regularization programme, the ninth of its kind since the 1980s, offers undocumented migrants already living in Spain a chance to obtain temporary legal residency and a one-year work permit. The measure mainly targets migrants who arrived before December 2025 and are already working or living in vulnerable conditions. According to reports, more than 550,000 applications had already been submitted only weeks after the application process…

Authorities in Libya have shut down a clandestine factory in the Tajoura district near Tripoli that was allegedly being used to build and equip boats for migrant smuggling operations across the Mediterranean. According to local media reports, forces from Libya’s anti-irregular migration unit and prosecutors from Tripoli’s immigration office carried out a raid on the facility after receiving intelligence about the operation. Officers reportedly arrested several suspects and seized industrial equipment and raw materials believed to have been used to construct vessels for unauthorized sea crossings. The case has been referred to Libya’s Public Prosecution Office, which ordered the detention…

Spain granted citizenship to nearly 300,000 foreign residents in 2025, the highest annual figure since official records began in 2013, according to new data released by the country’s National Statistics Institute. The sharp increase comes as Spain continues using immigration to address growing labour shortages, a declining birth rate, and an ageing population. Unlike several European countries that have tightened migration policies, Spain has adopted a more welcoming approach to migrants in recent years. Official figures from the National Statistics Institute showed that 299,732 foreign residents obtained Spanish nationality in 2025, an increase of almost 19 percent compared with 2024.…

A group of Ghanaian nationals evacuated from South Africa following rising anti-immigration tensions has safely arrived in Accra, according to officials from the Ghanaian government. The evacuation followed growing fears among foreign nationals living in South Africa, especially in the city of Durban, where migrants reported threats, fear of violence, and disruptions to their businesses and daily lives. A Ghanaian diplomat, Quashie, told the BBC News that the government had a responsibility to protect its citizens both at home and abroad. He explained that many Ghanaians in South Africa felt unsafe, unwelcome, and unable to continue their economic activities because…

Kemi Badenoch has claimed that many migrants crossing the English Channel illegally into the United Kingdom are “not refugees” but people taking advantage of Britain’s immigration system. Speaking during an interview with LBC, Badenoch argued that many people arriving by small boats see the UK as a “soft touch.” She said a large number of them should not be in the country and are exploiting the kindness of the British public. The comments have sparked debate about the reality of asylum claims made by migrants entering the UK through irregular routes. While critics support tougher border controls, others point to…

Authorities in Portugal have dismantled a criminal network accused of helping thousands of migrants illegally regularise their immigration status through forged documents and fraud. Police arrested two suspected leaders of the operation during raids carried out near Lisbon earlier this week. Officials said one of the suspects is a foreign national, although authorities have not released the identities of those detained. According to investigators, the group allegedly facilitated irregular immigration by creating fake employment contracts and fraudulent documents used in immigration applications. The operation also involved accusations of computer fraud and money laundering. Police said the criminal network illegally regularised…

Indonesia’s Minister of Migrant Workers Protection, Mukhtarudin, has linked the spirit of Eid al-Adha to the need for stronger protection and better welfare for Indonesian migrant workers around the world. Speaking during the Eid al-Adha 1447 Hijri celebration in Jakarta, the minister said the meaning of qurban, or sacrifice, teaches sincerity, faith, and care for others. He explained that these values should guide the ministry’s work in protecting migrant workers. According to Mukhtarudin, the spirit of sacrifice must become a real commitment to serve Indonesian workers abroad with sincerity and dedication. He described migrant workers as “Ambassadors of the Nation”…

The government of Canada has signalled a larger role for artificial intelligence in immigration processing as it strengthens its involvement in global migration management and labour mobility initiatives. The announcement was made during the International Migration Review Forum 2026 held at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York City, where Canada outlined a series of new commitments related to migration systems, labour mobility, border management, and migration misinformation. Lena Metlege Diab led Canada’s delegation to the forum and confirmed that Ottawa is committed to supporting what it described as the “principled use of artificial intelligence in migration.” Although…

The government of the Netherlands has approved plans to establish migrant “return hubs” outside the European Union, marking a major step in Europe’s efforts to tighten migration policies and increase deportations of rejected asylum seekers. According to reports, the Dutch government expects concrete progress on the plan within the coming months, with discussions already underway with several non-EU countries that could potentially host the facilities. The proposed return hubs would allow migrants who have been denied the right to remain in the EU to be transferred to centres outside Europe while awaiting deportation or further immigration processing. The Dutch government…

The government of South Africa has held urgent discussions to address rising anti-migrant tensions as protests against undocumented foreign nationals continue to spread across different parts of the country. Government ministers responsible for justice, defence, and crime prevention met on Monday to develop strategies aimed at tackling xenophobia, racism, and growing hostility towards migrants. The emergency meeting comes after increasing demonstrations by citizen-led groups demanding that undocumented migrants leave the country before June 30. Although the ultimatum has no official government support, it has raised serious concerns among migrant communities and human rights organisations, who fear the protests could trigger…