Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

The United States Department of Homeland Security has increased its financial incentive for undocumented migrants who choose to leave the country voluntarily, raising the payment from $1,000 to $3,000. The offer applies to migrants who register with the US government and depart the country on or before December 31, 2025, according to an announcement reported by CBS News. The move is part of the Trump administration’s wider immigration enforcement strategy. DHS said migrants who qualify for the program will also receive free airfare back to their home countries. In addition, certain civil fines and penalties linked to unlawful presence in…

An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fired shots during a tense arrest operation in St. Paul, Minnesota, after an undocumented Cuban migrant allegedly struck two federal agents with an SUV, U.S. officials have confirmed. According to an email statement sent to ABC News by Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, the incident occurred early Sunday morning, December 21, when ICE agents attempted to arrest the migrant outside his apartment complex. During the operation, the suspect reportedly resisted arrest and used his vehicle to hit two agents. Officials said the ICE agents identified themselves after spotting the man entering his…

Most of the Catholic bishops recently appointed in the United States by Pope Leo have openly criticised former President Donald Trump’s strict immigration policies, particularly his administration’s treatment of migrants. At least ten of the thirteen U.S. bishops appointed so far by Pope Leo have publicly supported better care, protection, and fair treatment for immigrants. This growing trend is expected to influence how the Catholic Church in the U.S. approaches immigration issues in the coming years. Among the new appointments is the Archbishop of New York, who will replace conservative Cardinal Timothy Dolan. Many of the new bishops have described…

Dozens of protesters gathered outside the Auckland electorate office of Immigration Minister Erica Stanford in Browns Bay on Thursday, calling attention to what they described as continued migrant exploitation and a lack of action from the government. The protest was organised by the Union Network of Migrants (UNEMIG) and supported by several migrant and workers’ rights groups. Groups at the protest included the Migrant Workers Association NZ, Migrante Aotearoa, United Filipino Bus Drivers, Migrant Rights Network and the International Migrant Alliance. Protesters said they were demanding fair treatment, better protections and stronger policies to stop the abuse of migrant workers…

Greek authorities have rescued hundreds of migrants in two separate sea operations off Gavdos island, Greece’s southernmost territory, highlighting the continued dangers faced by people traveling across the Mediterranean. The rescues took place in the early hours of Friday, according to officials, with support from the Greek Coast Guard and the European Union’s border agency, Frontex. In the largest operation, a boat carrying 545 migrants sent out a distress signal while sailing near Gavdos. Emergency teams responded quickly, deploying three Greek coast guard vessels, three Frontex ships, and three nearby civilian boats to assist. After several hours at sea, all…

The Trump administration has almost completely stopped reuniting undocumented migrant children in federal custody with their parents and close relatives, according to new data and accounts from immigration lawyers and officials within the U.S. government. The slowdown has left thousands of children stuck in shelters for weeks or even months, despite many having already cleared all required checks for release. The children affected are minors without legal immigration status, ranging from toddlers to teenagers. Many were arrested while crossing the U.S. border alone, while others were separated from their parents during immigration enforcement actions by U.S. authorities. After their arrest,…

The UK government has expressed hope that a newly approved German law will help reduce the number of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats. British ministers believe the legislation will disrupt criminal networks that support illegal crossings to the UK. The new German law, passed by lawmakers on Friday, criminalises activities linked to facilitating migrant smuggling towards the UK. These measures were first agreed more than a year ago and are expected to come into force before the end of the year. UK officials say the law will make it illegal for smuggling gangs to store boats, engines,…

Cyprus recorded nearly 3,000 returns of non-EU citizens between July and September 2025, placing the country among the top European Union members enforcing migrant return decisions during the period, according to newly released EU data. Across the European Union, a total of 115,440 non-EU citizens were ordered to leave EU territory during the third quarter of 2025. Out of this number, 34,155 people were actually returned to third countries, showing a significant gap between return orders and completed returns. When compared to the same period in 2024, the data shows a 2.7 percent increase in return orders, while actual returns…

Pope Leo has appointed Bishop Ronald Hicks as the new Archbishop of New York, signaling the Catholic Church’s intention to take a more outspoken and proactive stance on immigration issues. Hicks, 58, has extensive experience in Latin America, having worked in El Salvador and Mexico to support orphaned and abandoned children, giving him firsthand insight into countries from which millions have emigrated to the United States. His appointment comes as the Trump administration has increased anti-immigration policies, which the US Catholic Church has criticized more vocally. Hicks succeeds Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who resigned upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of…

The UK could lose hundreds of millions of pounds in annual tax revenues if salary thresholds for migrant workers are raised beyond current levels, according to a detailed review by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC). The report warns that higher thresholds may block skilled migrants who would otherwise make a significant net contribution to public finances, at a time when the government faces pressure to control immigration while supporting economic growth. Under existing rules, most foreign workers applying under the Skilled Worker visa route must earn at least £41,700 a year, following increases introduced in 2024 and routine adjustments in…