Germany: Bundestag passes 'opportunity right of residency' law
The German parliament has passed a new law that will make it easier for foreigners with a short-term 'tolerated stay' permit (Duldung) to get a residency permit.
mara bierbach
Germany: Generous welfare attracts migrants, says opposition leader
Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany's largest opposition party, has reiterated claims that the country’s social welfare system is acting as a 'pull factor' for migrants.
Geo Barents: Dozens rescued in Central Med, at least one migrant dead
The crew of the Geo Barents said it has rescued 71 migrants in the Central Mediterranean. At least one person reportedly died and 22 people remain missing. Meanwhile, the Sea-Watch 4 has been given the green light to disembark more than 300 rescued migrants in Italy; and 59 rescued migrants have left the Louise Michel.
Frontex leaders concealed pushbacks, watchdog reports
Three senior officials at the EU border agency Frontex actively concealed illegal pushbacks of migrants and refugees, according to a report from the European Anti-Fraud Office OLAF.
Rome: Protest against Italy's cooperation with Libya
Migrant rights activists staged a protest in Rome because of a vote to renew Italy's cooperation with Libyan authorities. They demanded Italy stop funding and training Libya's coast guard, given that migrants returned to Libya face severe human rights abuses.
Austria: Outrage over deportation of three girls
The deportation of three girls to Georgia and Armenia has caused controversy and tension in the governing coalition between the green party and conservatives in Austria. Many people criticized the government for expelling children who were considered to be "well integrated", including a 12-year-old girl born in Austria.
Migrants in Bosnia: EU, UN officials condemn situation in Lipa camp
Officials from the European Union and the UN migration agency IOM have called on Bosnian authorities to relocate migrants and refugees who are sleeping rough to appropriate accommodation. Meanwhile, migrants at Lipa camp ended their hunger strike.
Migration to Europe in 2020: The year in pictures
This year was especially difficult for many migrants and refugees in Europe, and those attempting to reach Europe. The coronavirus pandemic exacerbated hardships, while fires at Moria camp on Lesbos left thousands without shelter. Here's a look at some of the most important moments of 2020.
Why thousands of refugees in Greece face eviction — and where they can turn
In Greece, over 11,000 refugees could soon be evicted. They have been living in reception facilities for asylum seekers where they are no longer allowed to stay. Many worry that they could face homelessness. Here’s what you need to know -- and where affected refugees can get help.
Queer refugees: LGBT+ organizations struggle to provide support amid coronavirus
Support structures for gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender refugees often rely on in-person meetings. That’s one of the reasons why measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have hit queer refugees particularly hard. We spoke to LGBT+ refugee advocates in Germany about the situation, and where people can still get help.
Germany to take in 50 refugee children from Greek islands next week
Germany is planning to take in up to 500 minors from the Greek islands in the next few weeks; starting with 50 unaccompanied children next week. Critics say this is too little, too late, given that tens of thousands of migrants and refugees remain in the overcrowded camps.
Sea-Watch calls for cruise ships to evacuate migrants from Greek islands
Cruises across Europe have been suspended because of the coronavirus emergency. Migrant sea rescue organization Sea-Watch wants the empty cruise ships to be used to evacuate migrants from the Greek islands.