Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

Ria Money Transfer, a subsidiary of Euronet Worldwide and a leading player in global remittances, has officially received approval from Malaysia’s Department of Labour Peninsular to disburse wages digitally to migrant workers via the Ria Wallet. This marks a major step forward in promoting financial inclusion among the country’s migrant workforce, many of whom remain unbanked and rely heavily on cash transactions. The approval allows employers to use Ria’s digital Payroll Management System to pay salaries directly into workers’ Ria Wallets. This system is part of a broader Prepaid Card Program developed in partnership with Mastercard, offering an omni-channel, secure,…

Los Angeles Archbishop José Gómez has condemned President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, calling it a form of “punishment” rather than policy. His criticism comes after Trump deployed thousands of National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles following protests sparked by an aggressive increase in deportation efforts targeting undocumented immigrants in the city. The deployment has faced widespread opposition, with both Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom voicing strong objections. Although a citywide curfew was lifted this week by Mayor Bass, tension remains high, particularly in immigrant neighborhoods. Reports of federal agents detaining individuals in…

El Paso has once again reported the highest number of migrant encounters in the United States for May, continuing a four-month streak. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data, agents in the El Paso Sector recorded 2,014 illegal entries last month, placing it ahead of other major border zones such as Tucson, Arizona, with 1,588, and the Rio Grande Valley Sector in South Texas, with 1,439. Stretching from Hudspeth County, Texas, to the state lines of New Mexico and Arizona, the El Paso Sector remains at the forefront of migrant activity despite a reported 93 percent decrease in…

In a strong and unified statement, the leaders of the G7 nations have vowed to take coordinated action to dismantle migrant smuggling networks and combat human trafficking. This pledge, released under the G7 Coalition to Prevent and Counter the Smuggling of Migrants and the 2024 G7 Action Plan, outlines a broad international strategy aimed at stopping criminal organisations profiting from the suffering of vulnerable people. The leaders stated they are fully committed to improving border management and intensifying enforcement efforts. They also plan to target the transnational organised crime groups involved in smuggling and trafficking, many of which are linked…

Hundreds of migrants who gathered on Gravelines beach near Calais were teargassed by French police early on Tuesday as they rushed towards a single dinghy waiting offshore to cross to the UK. Witnesses said officers stood by as tear gas canisters and pepper spray were fired into the crowd, forcing families with small children to choke and sputter in waist‑deep water before fleeing back to shore. The dramatic scenes came just hours after Prime Minister Keir Starmer met President Emmanuel Macron at the G7 summit in Canada, where Downing Street described the Channel situation as “deteriorating.” Official Home Office figures…

Tunisia is facing growing criticism from civil society groups over its silence on a mounting humanitarian crisis involving the deaths of migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea. The Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES) has condemned what it describes as a “conspiracy of silence” by national authorities in response to the recent discovery of dozens of migrant bodies along the coastal areas of Sfax and Mahdia. FTDES spokesperson Romdhane Ben Amor voiced his concerns during an interview on Express FM, accusing the Tunisian government of failing to address or even acknowledge the worsening migrant crisis. He said…

Migrant workers across the world have sent an unprecedented $685 billion in remittances to their families in low- and middle-income countries in 2024, according to the United Nations’ International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The announcement came during the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Family Remittances, which highlights the critical impact of these funds on global poverty alleviation and rural development. In a statement marking the occasion, IFAD President Alvaro Lario acknowledged the role of 200 million migrant workers who send money home to support an estimated 800 million family members. He emphasized that these…

The UK government is preparing to impose visa restrictions on countries that refuse to sign migrant return agreements, according to Prime Minister Keir Starmer. This new approach is part of a broader strategy to reduce net migration and improve enforcement on migrant returns. Speaking at the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Kananaskis, Canada, Starmer said the UK must take stronger action to ensure that individuals who have no legal right to remain in Britain are returned to their countries of origin. At the summit, Starmer discussed the issue with leaders from France, Italy, and Germany. Their conversation focused on…

Mauritanian authorities have dismantled a major migrant smuggling and forgery ring in the capital, Nouakchott, following a successful overnight operation by the country’s anti-trafficking police unit. The raid, carried out between Sunday night and early Monday morning, led to the arrest of six individuals and the seizure of dozens of forged documents and equipment. The police confirmed that those arrested include four Mauritanian nationals and two foreign citizens. They were reportedly involved in producing fake visas and passports sold to migrants planning to cross into Europe, with each forged document costing between €1,700 and €2,000. During the operation, law enforcement…

Across the United States, migrant workers are living in constant fear as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) steps up workplace raids under President Donald Trump’s intensified immigration policies. Despite fears of deportation, these workers often have no choice but to show up for work. For many, staying home isn’t an option—they have rent to pay, children to feed, and families to support. One chilling example unfolded on June 10 in Oxnard, California, when ICE agents were seen chasing farmworkers through fields, even tackling some to the ground. Video footage captured by CNN affiliate KABC shows agents storming the farmland, sending…