Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a major change to how migrants renew their work permits. Under the new policy, migrants will no longer receive automatic extensions for their Employment Authorization Documents. Instead, they will now go through a full review and background check before their permits are renewed. This change will begin in 2025 and affects many migrants already living and working in the US. This new rule replaces a policy from the Biden administration, which allowed migrants to receive up to 540 extra days on their work permits automatically while their renewal applications were…

A new report shows that six out of every ten people who received unemployment benefits in Belgium in 2023 have a migrant background. This includes people who were born with another nationality or have parents from abroad. The figures were shared after a request from MP Sophie Thémont and reported by Het Laatste Nieuws. The data highlights how unemployment affects migrant families more deeply than native-born Belgians. Employment minister David Clarinval told Bel RTL that these numbers were “surprising” and said more effort is needed to support and integrate people into the workplace. He also mentioned that some benefit fraud…

A tragic incident occurred on Tuesday off the coast of Sorman in north-west Libya, where 18 migrants lost their lives after their boat sank just hours into the journey. The boat, which was carrying around 130 people, had departed early in the morning from the city of Al-Zawiya. The group included men, women, and children from Egypt, Eritrea, and Sudan who were attempting to reach Europe by sea. Reports from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) confirmed that rough and dangerous waves caused the boat to capsize shortly after departure. Rescue teams were able to save 64 survivors from the…

A Somali migrant who crossed the Channel to the UK has been sentenced to life in prison after murdering a man inside a Lloyds Bank branch in Derby. The attack happened shortly after his asylum application was rejected. The victim, 37-year-old Gurvinder Singh Johal, was described as a loving father, husband, and friend whose death has left his family heartbroken. The attacker, 47-year-old Haybe Cabdiraxmaan Nur, came to the UK last year after paying €400 for the journey. Hours before the killing, he contacted a support charity and reportedly threatened to kill many people. The court heard that he also…

Bulgaria has signed a new agreement with Switzerland worth 21.35 million Swiss francs, which is about 23.1 million euros, to support migrant assistance programs. The announcement came from Bulgaria’s Ministry of Innovation, marking a major step to improve how the country manages and supports people seeking refuge. The funding will be used to boost structures already in place and introduce new programs to protect vulnerable groups. The agreement will run until the end of 2029. During this period, Bulgaria plans to develop stronger cultural mediation services, provide better support for asylum seekers, and improve child protection systems across the country.…

Tunisia is facing strong criticism after the government suspended the operations of one of the leading migrant support groups in the country. The Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES), known for defending migrants and refugees, has been ordered to stop its activities for a month. The suspension was said to be linked to a financial audit, but many see it as a direct attempt to silence voices that speak out against government policies. The organization described the decision as unfair and politically driven. Many human rights advocates say this move is part of a wider effort to limit…

The Trump administration is taking new steps to expand detention space for migrants, as the number of people being arrested at the border continues to increase. According to reports, the government has turned to the U.S. Navy to help build new migrant detention centers. The Navy will now secure contracts for these facilities, and the plan is expected to cost around $10 billion. This move gives the military a larger role in the country’s immigration enforcement system. Recent data shows that nearly 60,000 migrants are currently being held in U.S. detention centers, compared to about 38,000 a year earlier. Many…

Spanish police have arrested 30 people accused of taking part in a large network that allegedly involved families pretending their children were lone migrant minors so they could be placed under state protection. The arrests took place in Tarragona, Catalonia, where investigators say they uncovered a system that allowed families to gain access to services including healthcare, education, and state-funded accommodation. Authorities said 22 minors were identified in the case and returned to their families. According to Spanish National Police, the alleged fraud resulted in state costs of more than 1.5 million euros, as the children were housed and cared…

Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama has made it clear that the current issues surrounding Italy’s migrant return centers in Albania are Italy’s responsibility to resolve. Speaking in an exclusive interview with InfoMigrants, he explained that the centers, which were meant to process migrants intercepted at sea, have been suspended due to legal challenges in the Italian courts. Rama emphasized that Albania’s role was simply to provide Italy with land for the project and that what happens next is entirely up to the Italian government. He stopped short of commenting on when or whether migrant transfers to Albania would resume, telling…

The UK government is preparing to move hundreds of asylum seekers into two military sites as part of efforts to reduce the use of hotels. According to reports, these new plans involve housing up to 900 men at Cameron Barracks in Inverness and Crowborough Training Camp in East Sussex. The move is part of a wider strategy to phase out asylum hotels by 2029, which have cost taxpayers billions and sparked protests across local communities. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he had urged officials in the Home Office and Ministry of Defense to “go faster, go further” in finding…