Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE
The UK has officially detained the first group of migrants under a new agreement with France, aimed at reducing illegal Channel crossings. The “one in, one out” deportation scheme started this week, with migrants seen arriving in Dover wearing life jackets as they left Border Force boats. According to the Home Office, 155 migrants crossed the English Channel on Wednesday alone, the same day the pilot began. Those detained will be moved to immigration removal centres and may be returned to France in the coming weeks. However, no exact number of detainees has been confirmed. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper confirmed…
In a moving story of courage and determination, a 39-year-old Moroccan woman without legs arrived in Spain’s Canary Islands after surviving a dangerous three-day sea journey. Her name is Gilzan, and despite being a double-amputee since childhood, she never gave up on her dream of a better life. Gilzan lost both legs at just four years old after a tragic road accident. Since then, she had relied on a wheelchair. But in late July, she left her wheelchair behind and joined 39 other African migrants on a small dinghy that set off from Agadir, Morocco, on July 27. Her journey…
As part of a new immigration crackdown, the United States has announced a policy that will require travelers from some countries to pay a visa bond of up to $15,000 before entering the country. The rule targets people applying for short-term business (B-1) and tourist (B-2) visas and aims to reduce the number of visitors who overstay their visas. The pilot program, set to begin on August 20, will last for one year and starts with travelers from Malawi and Zambia. These countries were chosen because they have higher rates of visa overstays, according to the US State Department. What…
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has hinted at a surprising shift in his immigration stance by proposing to legalize undocumented migrant farmworkers. During comments on Tuesday, Trump acknowledged the important role these workers play in American agriculture and suggested they might be allowed to remain in the country legally. This announcement marks a notable departure from Trump’s usual tough policies on immigration, particularly his ongoing push for mass deportations. The new idea would allow millions of undocumented farmworkers—many of whom have lived and worked in the U.S. for years—to stay indefinitely. Trump praised migrant farmworkers, saying they are especially skilled…
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has rejected recent reports claiming that major tax increases will be needed in the upcoming autumn budget. Speaking during a visit to Milton Keynes, Starmer said the figures being reported were not ones he recognised and stressed that the government’s focus would remain on improving people’s living standards. Although he did not completely rule out tax rises, Starmer repeated that the next budget would build on what the government had already done to stabilise the economy. He highlighted recent interest rate cuts, which he said would bring relief to people paying mortgages. Meanwhile, the UK’s…
Thousands of Cambodian migrant workers have fled Thailand and crossed back into Cambodia, following deadly border clashes that erupted on July 24. The mass return comes despite a ceasefire agreement, as many continue to fear for their safety. According to Cambodia’s Ministry of Labour, more than 750,000 Cambodians, including women and children, have returned in just over a week. The Ban Laem-Daung border crossing has been one of the busiest, with crowds of migrants arriving daily, many of them carrying their personal belongings and travelling with families. The fighting between Thai and Cambodian forces was sparked by a long-standing dispute…
Mastercard has partnered with Monak, a fintech company based in Oman, to launch a new digital financial services platform designed to support migrant workers. The goal is to make it easier for migrants to receive their wages, send money home, and access other financial services securely and affordably. This new platform will also help employers simplify their hiring, payroll, and onboarding processes. By reducing delays in payments and making it easier to manage expenses, the system improves both worker satisfaction and business efficiency. Migrant workers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region often face barriers when trying to access basic…
Former US President Donald Trump has hinted at a new plan that could affect how migrant farm workers are used in the US. The goal is to help American farmers find enough labour without offering amnesty to undocumented immigrants already in the country. The idea has caused a lot of debate inside the White House. While farmers say they need migrant workers, Trump and his advisers are trying to avoid any move that might look like giving legal status to undocumented people, which critics would call “amnesty.” One option being discussed is expanding the H-2A visa program. This program lets…
Rwanda has confirmed that it will accept up to 250 deported migrants from the United States, becoming the third African country—after South Sudan and Eswatini—to sign a deal under President Donald Trump’s new deportation plan. The Rwandan government said the decision was based on the country’s values of reintegration and rehabilitation, as many Rwandans themselves have experienced displacement. Government spokesperson Yolande Makolo said Rwanda will review each migrant case before accepting anyone. This agreement is part of President Trump’s larger campaign to remove undocumented migrants from the US. Since returning to the office, Trump has pushed mass deportations, even sending…
A new deal between the UK and France has started to reduce the number of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats. The “one in, one out” system allows the UK to send some migrants back to France while taking in others through safe and legal routes. The deal was announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron on 10 July and approved by the European Commission. It officially began on 5 August, with detentions set to begin the following day, 6 August. Under this new plan, migrants who enter the UK illegally on small boats…