Germany’s AfD welcomes border controls to 'combat illegal migration'
Germany’s anti-migrant AfD party has welcomed one aspect of the restrictions put in place to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic, namely border controls.
migration policy
Refugee policy EU's 'biggest inadequacy,' says Germany's Heiko Maas
Germany's foreign minister took aim at the EU's approach to refugees, saying nothing has been solved since the 2015 migrant crisis. He also called again for a scheme to distribute asylum-seekers across the EU.
Malta urges Pope to take in migrants
Malta has asked Pope Francis to take in a migrant family as it pressures other EU nations to share refugee burdens. Malta is keeping 56 migrants — initially rescued by fishing boats — on a tourist ferry far offshore.
More migrants leaving Denmark
The Danish government says that more migrants left the country in 2019 than entered. But this is not a result of a softer immigration policy, the Danish Refugee Council says.
Germany: Migration experts propose cash-for-visas for Africans
African migrants should be offered temporary work permits in exchange for a cash deposit, a German panel of experts has said. They say the measure would reduce illegal immigration and encourage migrants to return home.
Italy: Detainee rights guarantor against 'endless' Lampedusa quarantine
The guarantor for the rights of detained persons in Italy is focusing again on the topic of migrants at the hotspot on Lampedusa. He said it is unacceptable that their quarantine is prolonged with the arrival of each new guest in the facility.
Italy’s coronavirus lockdown affects migrant projects too
Italy is in lockdown. Since March 10, the country’s prime minister Giuseppe Conte announced that the whole country would be placed in quarantine until the beginning of April in a bid to stop the spread of COVID-19. The shutdown is placing particular strain on small projects working with migrants.
Turkey wants a new refugee deal before March summit
The EU should deliver on visa liberalization and trade to keep the refugee deal in place, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has said. Ankara recently stated it would no longer stop refugees from going to Greece.
Austria: 'There will be no waving them through at the border'
The governments of both Austria and Hungary have issued firm statements following Turkish announcements that it has opened its borders to allow migrants and refugees on towards the EU. Both Austria and Hungary say they will defend their borders to prevent a repeat of what happened in 2015 when hundreds of thousands of migrants and refugees entered the EU via the Balkan route.
UK to introduce new 'points-based immigration system'
The UK has left the EU and this year is a transition year; old rules still apply until the end of 2020. At the beginning of next year, the country wants to install a new "points-based immigration system."
Greek government slammed on migration issue
The new Greek government has been accused of "incompetence" after it reinstated a separate ministry for migration. Still, the government says it will move ahead with its plans to replace current "open" camps like Moria on the Greek island of Lesbos -- despite protests on the Aegean islands.
Why do migrants from Pakistan head to Europe?
According to estimates by the Pakistani authorities, some 30,000 to 40,000 people from Pakistan attempt illegal passage to Europe via Iran and Turkey every year. InfoMigrants spoke to an expert to find out which factors lead to this trend.