Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

The UK government is planning major changes to make it more difficult for migrants to gain permanent residency, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer aims to reduce immigration numbers. Under the current rules, migrants can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after living and working in Britain for five years. However, the new proposal may increase that time to as much as 10 years for some migrants. This new policy is expected to be included in a broader immigration reform package soon to be released by the Home Office, according to a source familiar with the matter. The move is…

The World Health Organization (WHO) has honoured Ernakulam’s Bandhu Clinic as one of the top 140 global models promoting refugee and migrant health. This recognition highlights the clinic’s vital role in providing accessible healthcare to thousands of migrant workers in Kerala. Notably, Bandhu Clinic is one of only two Indian clinics featured in the WHO list. Launched to ensure affordable and timely primary healthcare for migrant workers, Bandhu Clinic is a mobile health unit that travels to labour camps, fish processing hubs, and other locations where inter-state migrants live and work. Its success has been especially evident during the COVID-19…

A federal judge in Boston has blocked a controversial plan by the Trump administration to deport migrants to Libya, citing serious violations of legal protections. The decision came after reports emerged that US officials were preparing to send migrants to the North African country despite its unstable conditions. US District Judge Brian Murphy issued the emergency order on Wednesday, saying the deportations would “clearly violate” a previous ruling that guarantees migrants’ rights to due process. He emphasized that the administration’s actions “blatantly” ignored his earlier decision, which requires officials to notify migrants in their own language and allow them time…

UN Women has launched a new Call for Proposals to support projects that promote social cohesion and integration between migrant and host community women in South Africa. The initiative, part of the Making Migration Safe for Women programme, invites local organizations to apply by the 19 May 2025 deadline. This funding opportunity is linked to three key outcomes: Under Outcome 2 of the programme, UN Women seeks a nationally registered organization to implement activities that promote peaceful coexistence in six communities located across Gauteng, the Western Cape, and other areas of concern. These activities include: The selected organization will be…

Five individuals have been charged after a tragic migrant boat accident off the coast of San Diego left three people dead, including a 14-year-old boy from India. Federal prosecutors said on Tuesday that the boy’s 10-year-old sister remains missing at sea and is presumed dead. Their parents, who were on the same boat, survived but were hospitalized, with the father currently in a coma. The boat capsized early Monday near Torrey Pines State Beach, about 35 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. Nine people were initially reported missing. By late Monday, all but the missing girl had been found by…

The United States could begin deporting migrants to Libya this week using military flights, according to three government sources. This would mark the first time such deportations are carried out to the North African country, despite the U.S. having previously criticized Libya for its poor treatment of detainees. Two of the sources revealed that the flights could start as early as Wednesday, but emphasized that these plans are not yet final. It’s not clear how many people would be sent or what nationalities they are. No official comment has been made by the White House, State Department, or Department of…

Migrant workers in Cyprus are facing serious mistreatment, according to a new report by a European human rights group. These workers, mostly from Asia, often suffer from low wages, long working hours, and little protection from the law. The report, published by the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA), warns that many of these migrants are at risk of human trafficking. There are over 20,000 domestic workers in Cyprus, many from the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Vietnam. They help take care of homes and families in the southern part of the…

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has introduced a special education program called Jyothi to help children of migrant workers stay in school. The aim is to stop these children from dropping out and to give them full access to school education across the State. Speaking at a face-to-face event in Ernakulam on May 7, 2025, the Chief Minister said it is the State’s duty to make sure children of inter-State workers are not seen wandering the streets but are regularly attending school. Under the Jyothi program, local self-government bodies will now keep a proper academic record of every migrant child.…

Migrant workers help power economies across the globe, yet many face unsafe conditions, unfair treatment, and little to no legal protection. From construction to domestic work, their labour is essential—but so is their safety and dignity. According to the Global Slavery Index, migrant workers are three times more likely to experience forced labour than non-migrants. To address these urgent challenges, Walk Free and the Global Migrant Workers Network are urging governments, employers, and international bodies to implement six key actions that could dramatically improve migrant workers’ lives. 1. End Recruitment Fees and Ensure Ethical Hiring Many migrants begin their journey…

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a controversial new immigration policy aimed at encouraging undocumented migrants to voluntarily leave the United States. Under the new initiative, the government will offer free travel and a $1,000 stipend to any migrant who chooses to “self-deport” through a new system developed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Speaking at a White House event, Trump said the plan is part of a broader strategy to reduce the number of illegal migrants in the country. He added that some of those who leave under the program may later be allowed to return legally…