Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

Three Albanian men have been arrested in connection with a suspected migrant smuggling operation after 20 Albanian nationals were discovered hidden below deck on a luxury yacht bound for the South Coast of Britain. The vessel, believed to have departed from Brest, France, was intercepted by UK Border Force officers while sailing through the English Channel en route to Newquay on Sunday. Officials confirmed that 19 men and one woman, all thought to be Albanian, were found concealed on board the boat. The group has since been detained pending removal from the UK, according to a spokesperson for the Home…

A court in Cyprus has sentenced a Syrian national to five years in prison for smuggling 31 Syrian migrants into the country aboard an overcrowded boat. The man, who was also a migrant himself, played a key role in captaining the boat that brought the group across the Mediterranean Sea, according to a statement from the attorney general’s office released Monday. The case is part of Cyprus’ recent efforts to crack down on irregular migration, an issue that gained political momentum during the country’s 2023 presidential election. Authorities have implemented tougher measures and faster legal procedures, resulting in a noticeable…

A federal judge has blocked former President Donald Trump’s move to shut down the Biden-era humanitarian parole program, which provides deportation protection and work authorization to hundreds of thousands of migrants from four crisis-hit nations. Judge Indira Talwani of the Massachusetts District Court issued an emergency ruling on Monday, halting Trump’s attempt to end the program without conducting case-by-case reviews. The program, introduced by President Joe Biden in January 2023, allows migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to legally enter the United States for humanitarian reasons and remain for up to two years with work permits. Judge Talwani’s decision…

An illegal migrant has been found guilty of brutally raping and murdering Maryland mother of five, Rachel Morin, in a case that captured national attention and reignited fierce debates around immigration and public safety. Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez, 24, was convicted on Monday of first-degree murder, rape, sexual offense, and kidnapping, following the tragic killing of Morin in August 2023. Her body was discovered along the Ma and Pa Trail in Bel Air, Maryland, about 30 miles northeast of Baltimore. The jury delivered its verdict in less than an hour — a move prosecutors said reflected the overwhelming and “airtight” evidence…

The European Commission is preparing to officially propose a list of seven “safe third countries” where EU member states can return asylum seekers, according to a leaked document obtained by Euractiv. This move is part of the bloc’s broader strategy to manage migration more effectively under its revised asylum policies. The countries included in the draft list are Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Kosovo, Morocco, and Tunisia. These nations are being classified as “safe third countries of origin,” meaning they are deemed capable of offering adequate protection to asylum seekers sent back from the EU. The decision forms part of a…

Migrants living in the United States are facing serious skin health problems caused by their experiences before, during, and after migration. These issues include infections, skin inflammation, wounds, and other painful conditions. A new study has highlighted how the migrant journey, poor living conditions, and tough jobs can all affect their skin health. The research team studied 87 articles from the years 2000 to 2022, covering more than 12,000 migrants in the US and its territories. These articles used different ways to collect information such as reviewing medical records, interviews, and surveys. Most of the studies were done in North…

A record number of migrants have made the dangerous journey across the English Channel in small boats so far in 2025. Government figures released by the Home Office show that over 8,000 people have arrived in the UK between January and April, making it the highest number of crossings ever recorded during the first four months of the year. On Saturday alone, 11 small boats carrying a total of 656 migrants reached the UK’s shores, marking the single busiest day for arrivals this year. Additional boats were also spotted making the journey on Sunday, adding to the growing total. According…

President Donald Trump is meeting with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele at the White House to discuss their joint efforts on immigration and security. This meeting comes as both leaders face criticism over the handling of migrant deportations and human rights concerns. El Salvador has become a key partner in the United States’ recent deportation efforts. Since March, over 250 migrants, mainly from Venezuela, have been sent to El Salvador under a deal between the two countries. These individuals are being held in El Salvador’s high-security prison, known as CECOT, as part of a crackdown on alleged gang members. The…

The city of Braga has launched a new project to transform an old primary school in Celerós into a modern reception centre for migrants. A public tender has officially opened for companies to submit their proposals for the renovation work. The project will cost €1.4 million and is being led by BragaHabit, the city’s municipal housing company. Mayor Ricardo Rio said the centre will not only provide housing but will also help migrants start better lives in Portugal. In addition to giving people a place to live, the new centre will offer training and support services. These programs will help…

Poland has released a video that appears to show a uniformed Belarusian officer helping a group of migrants attack Polish border guards. The video shows dozens of people using a power saw to cut through the border fence, with some later throwing stones when Polish officers arrived. The video was shared by Jacek Dobrzyński, a spokesman for Poland’s interior ministry. He said the incident happened near the village of Mielnik. One man seen throwing stones was wearing military-style clothing, which Dobrzyński said showed he was an officer from Belarus. Since 2021, thousands of migrants and asylum seekers from the Middle…