Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

In a dramatic turn of events, over 900 migrants crossed the English Channel to the UK in small boats on Friday, June 13, marking one of the highest daily totals so far this year. At the same time, disturbing scenes unfolded on the French coast, where police officers were seen firing tear gas and using pepper spray to disperse migrant families preparing to board dinghies near Gravelines, close to Calais. According to data released by the UK Home Office, a total of 919 individuals arrived in 14 small boats, pushing the provisional total for the year to 16,183. This figure…

In a major move to boost coastal security, the Kozhikode district administration and the Fisheries Department have introduced a new regulation requiring all migrant fishers and allied workers to possess valid identity cards. This decision, which will be strictly enforced after the ongoing 52-day trawling ban, is aimed at improving harbour safety, identifying individuals, and ensuring better control over illegal activities. Authorities say the decision comes in response to growing concerns over unauthorised entries and potential involvement of certain migrants in illegal trade activities. During recent meetings of the Harbour Management Society, the District Collector underlined the need for heightened…

US President Donald Trump has directed federal agencies to carry out what he called the “largest mass deportation programme in American history.” The controversial order, announced in a post on Truth Social, targets major cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, where protests against immigration raids and federal enforcement have continued to grow. Trump instructed agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), to commit all available resources to this effort, reinforcing his administration’s tough stance on immigration ahead of the upcoming election season. In his post, Trump declared, “You have my unwavering support.…

Two Sudanese migrants were killed and five others injured in two separate shootings at overcrowded migrant camps near Dunkirk, northern France. The tragic events occurred over the weekend of June 14–15, raising serious concerns among humanitarian organizations about safety and conditions in these camps. French police confirmed the deaths and said all the victims were of Sudanese origin. The victims were staying at a makeshift camp in Loon Plage, an area outside Dunkirk that is home to thousands of migrants trying to reach the United Kingdom. According to French police and Agence France Presse (AFP), the first fatal shooting happened on…

For the first time, Portugal will host Refugee Week, a special arts and culture festival running from June 16 to 22. The week-long celebration aims to honour and highlight the contributions of migrant and refugee communities across the country, while promoting inclusion, creativity, and unity. The event was co-founded by two artists—Carlota, from Porto, and MoYah, a rapper and activist originally from Mozambique. Inspired by the success of Refugee Week in the United Kingdom, where MoYah now lives, they decided it was time for Portugal to have its version of the festival. Refugee Week is already known as the world’s…

Indonesia is working on a new opportunity to send skilled migrant workers to the Netherlands, focusing on industries like maritime, fisheries, and healthcare. The Ministry for the Protection of Migrant Workers (P2MI) has begun discussions with two Dutch labor recruitment companies—TOS and Susie Care—to support this international partnership. Deputy Minister of P2MI, Christina Aryani, confirmed the plan after meeting with both companies’ CEOs in Jakarta. She said the government is committed to expanding job placements in Europe for skilled Indonesian workers. “We are interested in placing Indonesian migrant workers in the Netherlands,” Aryani stated during the meeting, according to an…

Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet has announced that the country is fully prepared to handle a possible mass return of Cambodian migrant workers from Thailand. His statement, made on June 14 through official social media, reassured the nation that all key government agencies are on high alert and ready to respond quickly if needed. Hun Manet said that ministries, border security forces, and local authorities in provinces along the Thai border have already been instructed to coordinate support measures. These include temporary shelters, basic supplies like food and water, and safe travel arrangements for workers crossing back into Cambodia. “If…

A deadly shooting near a migrant camp in northern France has claimed the life of one person and injured five others, including a child, according to local authorities. The incident happened on Saturday near the Loon-Plage camp outside Dunkirk, an area where many migrants gather in hopes of crossing the English Channel to reach the UK. Charlotte Huet, the prosecutor for the northern French city, confirmed that two people were seriously injured and three others had minor wounds. One of those lightly wounded is a child. Police have arrested two individuals, one adult and a 17-year-old. Their nationalities have not…

More than 900 migrants crossed the English Channel in small boats on Friday, according to new government data. The Home Office said 919 people made the dangerous journey across one of the world’s busiest and most hazardous sea routes. The migrants arrived in 14 boats, pushing the total number of people crossing the Channel this year to over 16,000. This marks a sharp increase—42% higher than at the same point in 2024 and nearly 80% more than by this time in 2023. Although Friday’s number is high, it is not the largest daily figure recorded in 2025. That record was…

Four men escaped from a migrant detention center in Newark, New Jersey, after days of protests inside over poor food and overcrowding. The escape happened at Delaney Hall, a private immigration facility that quickly became a symbol of President Trump’s strict immigration policies. Detainees had been complaining for days about bad food, with many not getting meals on time and some sleeping on the floor because of overcrowding. Tension boiled over on Thursday afternoon when detainees smashed windows and security cameras. Four men were able to escape through a weak wall, according to officials. The escape followed growing anger inside…