Immigration and Integration
Media can help build narratives of integration and build its capacities for diverse and multicultural society. Immigration and integration meet resistance globally.
Migrants from Africa brave deadly Canary Islands crossing
The article explores harrowing experiences of migrants crossing the Atlantic to the Canary Islands. Ismael Ouattara tragically lost his wife and daughter during the journey.
UK and France asylum deal could violate human rights laws, warns UN
The United Nations has issued a warning to the UK and French governments that their “one in, one out” asylum system may violate international human
EU ‘caving into the floodgates of anti-migrant rhetoric’ warns Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch warns the EU is yielding to anti-migrant rhetoric, eroding asylum rights at home and prioritising tough migration diplomacy abroad over human rights
Human Rights NGOs Condemn Greece’s New Migration Bill
The Greek government has introduced a controversial new migration bill that proposes significantly harsher penalties for members of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) involved in migration aid.
Collision between migrant speedboat, Greek coast guard vessel leaves at least 15 dead
A tragic collision between a Greek coast guard patrol boat and a speedboat carrying migrants occurred off the island of Chios, resulting in at least
Spanish PM defends plans to regularise half a million undocumented migrants
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has staunchly defended his government’s decision to regularize the status of approximately 500,000 undocumented migrants, describing the move as a
Earlier posts:
Migrants arrive in UK for first time this year after Channel crossing
The first group of migrants of the year arrived in Dover after crossing the English Channel in freezing conditions with temperatures feeling as low as minus 3C. Their arrival coincided with the implementation of new Home Office powers allowing officials to seize and download data from migrants’ mobile phones and search for hidden SIM cards to gather intelligence on people-smuggling networks. While Border Security Commander Martin Hewitt hailed these tools as a “key moment” for investigations, critics and charities have labeled the invasive searches as “inhumane” and unlikely to solve the crossings crisis. This latest arrival follows a year in which 41,472 migrants crossed the Channel, the second-highest annual total on record.
Date: January 5, 2026. Source: independent.co.
Belgium open to housing foreign prisoners in other countries, minister says
Belgium’s migration minister said the government is exploring renting prison capacity abroad (e.g., talks with Albania and Kosovo) to help increase removals of foreign nationals convicted of crimes. The piece links this to wider EU experimentation with “innovative” migration-control approaches, noting the Western Balkans as a testing ground for such ideas. It also notes Belgium is considering EU-level tools like “return hubs” for rejected asylum seekers, while the minister defended tougher reception policies and criticized court-ordered fines.
Date: January 8, 2026. Source: euronews.com
US nearly triples list of countries whose citizens must post bonds up to $15,000 to apply for visas
The Trump administration nearly tripled the number of countries whose citizens must post refundable bonds of up to $15,000 to apply for a U.S. visa, bringing the total to 38 nations. These bonds, ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, are intended to ensure that visitors from countries with high overstay rates depart before their authorized stay expires.
Date: January 6, 2026. Source: apnews.com
Trump immigration policies and a lower fertility rate slow US growth projection, budget office says
the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projected that the U.S. population will grow by only 15 million people over the next 30 years, a smaller increase than previously estimated due to hard-line immigration policies and lower fertility rates. Experts warn that without significant immigration, the U.S. population would begin to shrink by 2030 as deaths among the aging baby boomer generation start to exceed births. This demographic shift is expected to place increased pressure on Social Security and Medicare as the labor force shrinks relative to the number of retirees.
Date: January 8, 2026. Sources: apnews.com
Protests erupt as ICE agent kills woman during Minneapolis immigration raid
A 37-year-old U.S. citizen named Renee Nicole Good was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis during a federal immigration enforcement operation. While the Department of Homeland Security described the incident as an act of “self-defense” against “domestic terrorism,” witness videos and local officials, including Mayor Jacob Frey, have strongly disputed this account, calling the shooting “reckless.” The killing has sparked massive nationwide protests, intensified a legal battle between Minnesota and the federal government.
Date: January 7, 2026. Source: aljazeera.com
‘Shameful’ 41,000 people reached UK by small boat last year, says Home Office
The UK Home Office reported that over 41,000 people crossed the English Channel in small boats in 2025, the second-highest number on record. The government described the figures as “shameful” and vowed to implement stricter measures to dismantle people-smuggling gangs and deter irregular arrivals. Refugee charities criticized the government’s focus on deterrence.
Date: January 1, 2026. Source: theguardian.com
Wisconsin judge convicted of obstructing arrest of immigrant resigns as GOP threatens impeachment
A Wisconsin judge, Shelley Gaylord, has resigned after being convicted of obstructing the arrest of an undocumented Mexican immigrant in her courtroom. The case involved Gaylord allegedly allowing the individual to leave through a back exit to avoid ICE agents who were waiting to detain him. Her resignation came as Republican lawmakers in the state moved to impeach her, arguing her actions violated the rule of law.
Date: January 3, 2026. Source: apnews.com
‘Evidence’ of asylum hotels closing will be seen in coming months, says Starmer
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged that the public will soon see clear “evidence” of asylum hotels closing as the government accelerates its timeline to end their use. This move follows a major immigration crackdown led by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who has introduced reforms significantly increasing the residency requirement for permanent settlement. Despite these tougher measures, the Labour government maintains its commitment to the European Convention on Human Rights, focusing on legislative adjustments rather than treaty withdrawal. The strategy aims to resolve the housing crisis for migrants while addressing public concerns over border control and long-term integration.
Date: January 4, 2026. Source: independent.co
ICE doesn’t plan to detain Kilmar Abrego Garcia again as long as judge’s order banning it stands
Kilmar Abrego-Garcia, an undocumented immigrant from El Salvador, has become the center of a high-profile legal battle after the Trump administration was accused of “vindictive prosecution” for charging him with human smuggling only after he won a wrongful deportation case. Although officials previously alleged he had gang ties, Abrego-Garcia has no criminal record and has pleaded not guilty to the smuggling charges, which stem from a 2022 traffic stop where he originally received only a warning. Unsealed court documents suggest that high-level Justice Department officials fast-tracked his indictment as a “top priority,” leading a federal judge to question the government’s motives and trustworthiness. Currently, a judge has barred ICE from re-detaining him while the criminal case proceeds, with a key hearing on the motion to dismiss the charges scheduled for late January 2026.
Date: December 31, 2025. Source: apnews.com
At least seven dead, dozens missing as migrant boat capsizes off The Gambia
A boat carrying migrants hoping to reach Europe capsized off the coast of The Gambia, leaving at least seven people dead and dozens more missing. Rescuers saved 96 survivors from the vessel, which was carrying over 200 people toward Spain’s Canary Islands. This tragedy underscores the rising death toll on the West African Atlantic route as more people attempt the perilous journey to Europe.
January 1, 2026 Source: Al Jazeera Summary: aljazeera.com
Asylum applications in Germany down by half in 2025
DW reports that first‑time asylum applications in Germany fell sharply in 2025, dropping to about half of the previous year’s level. The Interior Ministry attributes the decline partly to stricter migration policies and expanded border checks, alongside increased removals. The piece also notes other drivers, including changing conditions in origin countries and shifting migration routes across Europe.
Date: January 4, 2026. Source: dw.com
Trump administration moves to overhaul how H-1B visas are granted, ending lottery system
The Department of Homeland Security has announced it is replacing the H-1B visa lottery system with a new weighted selection process that prioritizes higher-paid and higher-skilled workers. The administration argues the move will prevent abuse of the system and protect American wages, while critics contend it disadvantages entry-level professionals. This change follows an earlier, contested proclamation imposing a substantial fee on visa applications.
Date: December 23, 2025. Source: apnews.com
What is remigration, the far-right fringe idea going mainstream?
“Remigration,” once a fringe far-right concept calling for the mass deportation of immigrants and their descendants, is increasingly entering mainstream political discourse across Europe and the United States. The term is frequently used by extremist groups like the Identitarian Movement to frame the forced removal of non-white populations as a “reversal” of migration trends. The article highlights how this ideology has moved from internet subcultures to being referenced by prominent political figures in Germany, France, and beyond.
Date: December 26, 2025. Source: aljazeera.com
Trump government suspends visa lottery linked to Brown University suspect
Switzerland is trialing a new concept to house disruptive asylum seekers in separate areas of federal centers to improve safety for staff and other residents. Starting in 2026, the six-month pilot will isolate a small minority of aggressive individuals while maintaining their rights to employment and movement. The State Secretariat for Migration hopes this segregation will allow for more open environments and fewer security measures in general housing areas. If the trial succeeds in the Ticino and Solothurn regions, the policy will be expanded to all 30 federal asylum centers nationwide.
Date: December 20, 2025. Source: aljazeera.com
Over 600 migrants reach Crete in 24 hours amid route shift
More than 1,000 migrants have arrived on the Greek island of Crete this December, with over 600 landing in just 24 hours. Most were rescued by Greek authorities and Frontex near the islet of Gavdos after departing from Libya. Smugglers are increasingly utilizing this route due to favorable weather and its proximity to North African shores. While Mediterranean migration has declined overall this year, Crete is facing a significant and concentrated surge in pressure.
Date: December 18, 2025. Source: euronews.com
How ICE deports refugees and migrants despite years of good conduct
The Trump administration’s mass deportation efforts are increasingly targeting immigrants with no criminal records, despite claims of prioritizing “the worst of the worst.” The article highlights two Salvadoran brothers detained during a routine ICE check-in, even though they had nearly a decade of good conduct and a pending legal application. Statistics show that roughly 73 percent of ICE detainees have never been convicted of a crime, reflecting a major shift in enforcement strategy. This trend illustrates the severe impact on families as legal pathways are curtailed and long-term residents are deported to countries they fled as children.
Date: December 19, 2025. Source: aljazeera.com
EU governments tell Commission to step up action on migration
Nineteen EU countries urged the European Commission to pursue a tougher “external dimension” strategy—expanding cooperation with non‑EU states to reduce irregular arrivals. The letter pushes “innovative solutions,” including concepts like return hubs outside the EU for people whose asylum claims are rejected.
Date: December 16, 2025. Source: politico.eu
Court backs ruling that UK unlawfully detained Tamils on Diego Garcia
A UK court upheld a previous ruling that Tamil asylum seekers who arrived on Diego Garcia after a shipwreck were unlawfully detained for years in harsh conditions. Judges rejected the territory commissioner’s appeal on all grounds, strengthening the claimants’ position as they seek damages. The article notes the UK government could face significant compensation costs and reiterates that the remote military base was never considered a suitable place for migrants.
Date: December 16, 2025. Source: theguardian.com
Migrants stuck in Mauritania after EU border pact brings crackdown
Mauritania has become a central hub for the “Atlantic Route,” one of the deadliest paths for migrants attempting to reach Europe via Spain’s Canary Islands. The European Union and Spain have committed hundreds of millions of euros to the country to curb migration through increased security and detention efforts. However, the investigation reveals a “revolving door” where migrants are intercepted, detained in poor conditions, and summarily expelled to desert borders.
Date: December 18, 2025. Source: reuters.com
We must protect our borders to defend our democracies. Here’s how
Keir Starmer and Mette Frederiksen argue that progressive governments must secure borders to address public concerns and prevent populist surges. They contend that the current asylum framework is outdated and requires a modernized interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights. While reaffirming protection for those fleeing persecution, they emphasize that managing mass mobility is essential for social stability. Ultimately, they believe firm migration control is necessary to defend democracy and maintain public trust in the law.
Date: December 9, 2025. Source: theguardian.com
Small boat crossings resume after longest pause in migrants arriving for seven years
After a 28-day hiatus due to poor weather, small boat crossings across the English Channel have resumed, ending the longest pause in arrivals since 2018. Despite the lull, 2025 has seen high numbers of arrivals, with the total currently exceeding 39,000. The government continues to pursue stricter enforcement measures, though recent legislative changes are not expected to impact numbers until the following year.
Date: December 13, 2025. Source: independent.co
Trump administration separates thousands of migrant families in the US
A shift in U.S. immigration enforcement is causing the separation of thousands of migrant families, distinct from the border separations of the first Trump term. Current policies involve arresting and detaining parents living inside the U.S., forcing them to choose between leaving their children behind or uprooting them. As of November, federal detention reached record highs, with families facing prolonged uncertainty and separation.
Date: December 11, 2025. Source: apnews.com
Is Greece leading the way for the end of asylum in Europe?
Greece’s migration policies are increasingly challenging the 1951 Refugee Convention, with officials and legal experts arguing the treaty is outdated and a “back door” for illegal immigration. The country has implemented strict measures, including border pushbacks and detention, which critics claim undermine the rule of law and human rights. This trend in Greece reflects a broader shift in Europe where established asylum protections are being questioned and eroded.
Date: December 12, 2025. Source: euobserver.com
UK joins call for Europe’s human rights laws to be ‘constrained’
The UK has joined a group of 27 European nations calling for restrictions on human rights laws to facilitate stricter migration controls, including “Rwanda-style” deals with third countries. A joint statement signed by these nations argues that the European Convention on Human Rights should not prevent states from deporting foreign criminals or managing irregular migration. This move highlights a deepening division across Europe regarding the balance between border control and refugee rights.
Date: December 10, 2025. Source: theguardian.com
UK’s new digital-only immigration system creating exclusion and fear, study finds
A new study reveals that the UK’s mandatory digital-only immigration system is causing high levels of stress, fear, and exclusion for migrants. The system requires nearly all legally residing migrants to obtain an eVisa to prove their status, but many are facing technical failures, shifting deadlines, and complex processes. These issues have resulted in migrants struggling to access work, travel, and public services, with many feeling vulnerable when trying to correct system errors. The report warns that those with limited digital literacy, language barriers, or disabilities are at high risk of being excluded, urging the government to offer alternatives to the compulsory digital-only approach.
Date: December 5, 2025. Source: theguardian.com
Trump warns of peril to western ‘civilization’ from mass migration in new security plan
Donald Trump claimed in a national security plan that mass migration poses a severe threat to Western civilization, suggesting Europe is particularly at risk of “civilization erasure” within two decades. The 33-page document, entitled the National Security Strategy of the United States of America, blames migration for issues ranging from censorship and strife to declining birth rates and loss of national identities. Furthermore, the plan casts doubt on whether certain European nations will remain reliable US allies, prompting criticism from former US officials who called the document “disastrously dumb.” The strategy’s sentiment around immigration echoes the controversial, largely debunked “great replacement theory.”
Date: December 5, 2025. Source: independent.co
How the Ukraine War Turned Moldova’s One-Way Exodus Into a Two-Way Migration Corridor
The war in Ukraine has reshaped Moldova’s demographics, transforming it from a nation defined by emigration into a critical transit and destination hub for refugees. While the influx initially offered a potential labor boost, Moldova’s low wages have led many Ukrainians to eventually move on to Western Europe. This shift has strained the country’s limited welfare infrastructure while simultaneously elevating its strategic importance in managing migration on the EU’s eastern border.
Date: December 3, 2025. Source: tol.org
Secret plan for east Africa: Austria looking to set up ‘transit centres’ for rejected asylum seekers
An internal Austrian government document reveals plans to establish transit centres in East African nations, such as Uganda, to house rejected asylum seekers from the EU. The proposal targets individuals who cannot be immediately deported to their home countries, explicitly naming Somalis as a primary group. This controversial “hub” model, which mirrors similar recent initiatives by the Netherlands, has drawn warnings from human rights agencies about potential legal and safety violations.
Date: December 5, 2025. Source: euobserver.com
Illegal migrants to have mouths searched for SIM cards under new police powers
British police are set to gain enhanced powers at ports to compel migrants crossing the Channel to remove outer garments and undergo mouth searches for SIM cards or small electronic devices. The Home Office states these measures are necessary to quickly gather intelligence and disrupt the criminal networks involved in migrant smuggling. Human rights groups have sharply criticized the policy shift, calling the invasive procedures a “dystopian act of brutality” against vulnerable people.
Date: December 2, 2025. Source: independent.co
‘It’s too scary to be in a tent’: On the frontline of this winter’s refugee homelessness crisis
Frontline workers are warning of a significant refugee homelessness crisis this winter due to the UK Home Office’s recent decision to pause a pilot scheme that extended the ‘move-on’ period from 28 to 56 days. The abrupt change leaves newly granted refugees with insufficient time to secure housing and benefits, forcing many, including victims of torture, into destitution and rough sleeping. Charities are now printing multi-lingual guides for rough sleepers and providing tents to those evicted from asylum accommodation.
Date: December 6, 2025. Source: independent.co
Trump lashes out at Somalis again as Minneapolis stands behind community
President Trump launched another public attack against the Somali community in Minneapolis, prompting a strong defense from city officials. The Minneapolis mayor and city council publicly reaffirmed their support for the community. The Trump administration is reportedly planning to deploy more federal agents to the city to target Somalis with final deportation orders. Local activists are responding with legal clinics and rights training to help protect residents from the increased enforcement.
December 4, 2025. theguardian.com
As conflict grips Sahel, herders are pivoting to an unusual city life
Conflict and climate change in the Sahel region are forcing thousands of nomadic herders to migrate to the fringes of major cities like Abidjan in Ivory Coast. These herders, often ethnic Fulani, are struggling to integrate into city life due to high costs and unemployment, shifting from a pastoral lifestyle to jobs like car washing. This migration highlights a trend of nomadic communities being displaced and adapting to urban occupations as their livestock are threatened. Experts warn that the conflict is worsening, suggesting these migrants will not return home soon.
December 3, 2025. apnews.com
Student describes ‘horror show’ ICE deportation to Honduras at Thanksgiving
A 19-year-old business student, Any Lucia López Belloza, was detained by ICE agents at Boston airport and quickly deported to Honduras, a country she left at age seven. This action occurred despite a court order that her lawyer stated barred her removal. López, who had no criminal record, was shackled and deported in under 48 hours, highlighting what advocates call severe due process violations. The case has become a prominent example of alleged abuses under the current mass deportation policy.
December 4, 2025. theguardian.com
EU updates asylum guidance for Syrians a year after Assad’s fall
The European Union Agency for Asylum updated its guidance for Syrian nationals one year after the fall of Bashar Assad. The revised guidance suggests that opponents of Assad and military service evaders are no longer automatically at risk of persecution. However, it notes that other groups, like former government affiliates and specific ethnic-religious groups, may still face persecution risks. The updated guidance aims to promote coherence across EU member states for the approximately 110,000 Syrians awaiting asylum decisions.
December 3, 2025. apnews.com
Mass displacement, trafficking fears deepen crisis in Sudan’s El Fasher
The humanitarian crisis in Sudan’s Darfur region, particularly around El Fasher, has worsened severely, marked by accelerating mass displacement and dire aid restrictions. Independent human rights experts voiced alarm over reports of trafficking of women and girls for sexual exploitation, primarily since the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) took control of El Fasher. Renewed fighting in the Kordofan region is also driving large-scale displacement, pushing the total number of forcibly displaced people across Sudan to nearly 12 million. The UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy is preparing to travel to the region to press for renewed political dialogue and unhindered humanitarian access.
November 27, 2025. news.un
Peru to declare state of emergency to block Chile border crossings
Peru’s government plans to declare a state of emergency along its border with Chile to deploy additional security forces and halt unauthorized crossings by migrants. The move responds to an increase in migrants, primarily from Venezuela and Haiti, attempting to pass through Peru after being blocked from entering Chile. Human rights groups have expressed deep concern, warning that militarizing the border will exacerbate the humanitarian crisis for already vulnerable migrants. This escalating tension highlights the strain on Latin American countries attempting to manage unprecedented regional migration flows.
November 28, 2025. aljazeera.com
Education Secretary says asylum reforms ‘will be a fair system’ amid concerns
UK Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson defended the new Labour party asylum reforms, insisting they would create a “fair system” despite widespread internal and external concerns. The overhaul includes making refugee status temporary and subject to review, a policy critics argue will leave asylum seekers in a perpetual state of limbo and hinder integration. Acknowledging the discomfort over the forced removal of families with children, the government maintains the action is necessary to enforce rules and maintain public confidence in the system.
November 20 2025. independent.co.uk
Up to 50,000 nurses could quit UK over immigration plans, survey suggests
A new survey suggests that as many as 50,000 migrant nurses may quit the UK over proposed immigration reforms, which seek to double the required period for indefinite leave to remain from five to ten years. Nursing leaders condemned the changes as “immoral,” warning that a mass exodus would create the biggest workforce crisis in the NHS’s history. These proposed measures, which also raise skill and English language requirements, are part of the government’s strategy to curb net migration. The move has provoked serious distress among the migrant staff who staff the health service.
November 20 2025. theguardian.com
How the UK and Denmark are pushing Europe to reinterpret the ECHR
European migration politics are increasingly being shaped by efforts from countries like the UK and Denmark to reinterpret the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The UK’s recent radical asylum overhaul attempts to narrow the scope of ECHR Articles 3 and 8, which safeguard against inhuman treatment and protect private life, in order to make removals easier. This approach mirrors Denmark’s conditional asylum model, which utilizes temporary protection status, strict family reunification rules, and incentives for migrants to return. This trend reflects a broader push across Europe for greater executive control over migration and deportation policies, challenging the long-standing jurisprudence of the Strasbourg court.
Nov 20, 2025 euobserver.com
Migrants to UK will not get benefits until becoming citizens under new plans
New plans announced by the Home Secretary would make migrants eligible for benefits and social housing only once they become British citizens, rather than upon receiving settlement status. The proposed rules would force those arriving illegally, such as via small boats, to wait up to 30 years to gain permanent residency. Overseas workers and their families, especially those on health and care visas, could face longer waiting times for settlement if they claim benefits for a year or more. Critics, including migrant charities and union leaders, argue the proposals are punitive and risk trapping essential workers in decades of instability. The policy introduces a “contribution-based model” allowing faster settlement for high earners or those who volunteer, while those on low incomes face significant delays.
Nov 20, 2025. theguardian.com