Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE
The announcement was made in a press release on May 19, 2025. The GIS said it paused the operation to avoid overcrowding at its main Holding Centre in Accra. So far, 925 migrants have already been sent back to their countries—819 to Niger and 106 to Nigeria. But hundreds more still remain in detention, waiting for their deportation to be processed. Why did Ghana stop arresting migrant beggars? The GIS explained that they had to stop new arrests because the center where detainees are held is full. Officials are currently handling large numbers of detainees by screening them, providing health…
A shelter for unaccompanied migrant minors in the Canary Islands has been seized by Spanish police after serious abuse claims. On May 19, authorities arrested the head of the center and nine other staff members on the island of Gran Canaria. They were accused of harming and threatening children in their care. The shelter, known as La Fortaleza (The Fortress), is located in Santa Brigida. It was meant to care for unaccompanied migrant children and teens who are under protective and educational care. The center was managed by a private company called Quorum 77 on behalf of the Canary Islands’…
A US judge has warned that the government may be breaking the law by sending a group of migrants to South Sudan. Judge Brian Murphy said that his earlier order was likely ignored when a deportation flight reportedly landed in the African country this week. The judge had ruled that no migrant should be sent to a third country without a fair chance to challenge the decision. Lawyers representing migrants quickly asked for an emergency stop to the deportations. They told the court that at least 12 people had been flown out of the US on Tuesday. Some of them…
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has taken a major step forward in regional integration by launching its Labour Migration Strategy and Action Plan (2025–2035). The plan, unveiled at a workshop in Accra on 13 May 2025, aims to make labour migration safer, more regular, and supportive of human rights across West Africa. Ghana’s Minister for Labour, Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, officially opened the event. He called the new strategy a timely and necessary shift from fragmented national policies to a unified regional approach. Ghana pledged to continue leading efforts in inclusive labour governance. Albert Siaw-Boateng, Director of…
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s migrant policy faced a major blow after Albania rejected his proposed asylum deal, sparking a flurry of critical headlines across UK newspapers. Many front pages on Friday reflect the political scramble as Starmer now seeks alternative agreements with up to nine countries to create so-called “return hubs” for failed asylum seekers. The Times led with: “Talks with up to nine nations for asylum deal”, reporting that after Albania pulled out, Starmer plans to hold discussions with nations including Bosnia, Serbia, and North Macedonia. This rapid pivot is being framed as a damage control effort following…
Poland is set to elect a new president on Sunday, and the stakes are high. The two top candidates, Rafal Trzaskowski and Karol Nawrocki, are battling over major issues such as migration, EU relations, and the future of Poland’s judiciary. The outcome will determine whether Poland leans toward greater cooperation with the European Union or doubles down on nationalism and closer ties with the United States. Rafal Trzaskowski, the liberal mayor of Warsaw from the Civic Platform party, is calling for honesty, decency, and a return to European values. At his recent rally in Krakow, he reminded voters of the…
A major smuggling ring involving Pakistani nationals has been dismantled following a coordinated police operation across Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia. The suspects were accused of running a clandestine operation that trafficked migrants along the Balkan Route into northeastern Italy. The operation, which took place between April 14 and 15, resulted in the arrest of six individuals, all Pakistani nationals, while a warrant has been issued for one more suspect. The investigation began in February 2024 after a disturbing report from an Indian migrant living in Trieste. He and another Indian man were allegedly kidnapped and assaulted by two Pakistanis…
Dozens of West African migrants say they were forcefully deported from Mauritania, despite some holding legal residency documents. Human rights groups and neighbouring countries have condemned the recent mass pushbacks as inhumane and possibly xenophobic. Videos shared in March showed families — including children — disembarking from ferries at the Senegalese border town of Rosso. Many looked distressed, with personal belongings strapped to their backs. According to the Mauritanian Association for Human Rights (AMDH), 1,200 migrants were deported in March alone — nearly 700 of whom reportedly had residence permits. Those expelled said they were randomly questioned, arrested, and detained…
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has said that skilled migrants give more money to the UK economy than British workers. He strongly defended migrants, saying they should not be called “sponges or skivers” as some people claim. His comments came a day after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer promised to reduce net migration and tighten border rules. Mr Starmer said the number of migrants coming into the UK each year is too high, pointing out that net migration in 2023 was around 906,000 people, almost the size of Birmingham’s population. But Mr Khan said the Prime Minister’s statement does not reflect…
The Bangladesh Expatriates and Migrants Council has asked the government to give better protection and rights to migrants who return home after facing abuse and exploitation in other countries. At a rally held on 15 May at the National Press Club, the group presented a 19-point list of demands to support returnees and their families. Delwar Hossain Syed, the president of the council, asked the government to look at the demands seriously and take action to protect the migrant community. He said that migrant workers make huge contributions to the country and deserve strong support in return. One of the…