Immigrants and refugees
British government rejected visa-free EU touring for musicians to bolster hostile immigration policy
By Paul Bond, 16 January 2021
Musicians and promoters made it clear that the devastating impact of this move will not only be felt by current performers, but also be an obstacle to emerging performers in the future.
Detainees on Australia’s Christmas Island continue protests against appalling conditions
By Max Boddy, 15 January 2021
The Australian Border Force has responded to the protests with violence and punitive segregation measures.
UK government accelerates “hostile environment” against immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers
By Simon Whelan, 12 January 2021
£2.3 million was spent on forcibly removing 225 people to European countries in July, August and September this year—double the amount spent on deportation flights in the previous quarter
Detainees protest inhuman conditions on Australia’s Christmas Island
By Max Boddy, 9 January 2021
After being denied the right to peacefully demonstrate, detainees set fire to mattresses and buildings in the immigration prison.
EU responsible for refugee disaster in Bosnia: People without food, in sandals in the snow
By Jan Ritter and Max Linhof, 9 January 2021
Without food, wearing just sandals in the snow and lacking a roof over their heads, more than 3,000 migrants must brave sub-zero temperatures in the northwest of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Nebraska governor says undocumented meatpacking workers will not receive vaccine
By Alex Findijs, 7 January 2021
Governor Ricketts said during a press conference that undocumented immigrants in the meat processing industry will not receive the COVID-19 vaccine and his spokesman said its distribution will be prioritized by citizenship status.
Australia: Chinese immigrant meatworkers locked out after protesting alleged assault
By Jason Quill and Patrick O’Connor, 6 January 2021
The meatworkers' union acted as strike-breaker, shutting down the Chinese workers’ principled act of solidarity with their victimised colleague.
“We have fewer rights than animals”: The unbearable life in the Greek refugee camp Kara Tepe
By Katerina Selin, 5 January 2021
Anyone wanting to gauge the criminal character of European governments and the European Union (EU) must look to Kara Tepe, the temporary camp on the Greek island of Lesbos.
Amin: A worker far from home
By Joanne Laurier, 12 December 2020
Amin is a subdued, thoughtful look at the condition of migrant workers who break their backs in the metropolitan countries to feed their families in their native lands.
Johnson and Macron governments step up collaboration in persecution of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers
By Simon Whelan, 12 December 2020
These extremely vulnerable people are fleeing from the wars, fratricidal conflicts, and economic and ecological destruction created and exacerbated by the world’s imperialist powers, foremost in Europe by Britain and France.
Croatian government and EU intensify violence against refugees
By Branko Krasnic, 12 December 2020
Croatia’s border with Bosnia and Herzegovina has for years been notorious for violence against migrants and asylum seekers as part of the EU’s “Fortress Europe” policy.
Migrant caravan of workers displaced by hurricanes departs Honduras
By Andrea Lobo, 11 December 2020
The migrants are escaping the destruction of their homes and livelihoods by back-to-back, record-setting storms that have left more than 400,000 Hondurans and Guatemalans living in shelters.
The unseen plight of undocumented workers in the US during the pandemic
By Melody Isley, 7 December 2020
Deemed “essential” workers, but denied legal recognition and financial or medical resources, the undocumented work in high-risk industries where COVID-19 spreads at unrivaled rates.
Food prices, waste rise as food insecurity affects tens of millions in the US
By Alex Findijs, 7 December 2020
Supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic have forced farmers to destroy food and prices to rise while tens of millions of people struggle to put enough food on the table.
French government announces mass closure of mosques in continuing anti-Muslim crackdown
By Samuel Tissot, 5 December 2020
Just one week before Macron’s draft “anti-separatism law” is submitted to the convention, the interior ministry launches a new attack on mosques.
Adu: A young African boy on a perilous journey
By Joanne Laurier, 5 December 2020
Adu is a hard-hitting Spanish film about the global refugee crisis, dramatizing its vast dimensions through the travails of a young boy as he makes a life-threatening journey throughout Africa.
And Breathe Normally from Iceland: Two women in conditions “when everything is going wrong”
By David Walsh, 4 December 2020
There are not that many films in which a director captures accurately and artistically the “everyday” pressures of working class life.
New report condemns Greek government’s “inhuman” treatment of refugees
By George Gallanis, 4 December 2020
A report published by the Council of Europe’s anti-torture Committee calls on the Greek government to “change their approach towards immigration detention and to ensure that refugees deprived of their liberty are treated both with dignity and humanity.”
British government to deport Jamaican “foreign nationals” after fascistic campaign
By Thomas Scripps, 2 December 2020
The Labour MPs led by Jeremy Corbyn signing the letter of protest are only attempting to distance themselves from their party’s own anti-democratic agenda without making any real challenge to it
Deaths mount as Spain’s PSOE–Podemos government escalates assault on migrants
By Alice Summers, 1 December 2020
At least nine migrants died last week trying to reach the Canary Islands, bringing the total deaths on the West African migration route to more than 500 this year.
Migrants protest in India demanding right to return to New Zealand
By Tom Peters, 30 November 2020
An estimated 2,000 work NZ visa holders have been stuck in India for nine months, many of whom have lost their jobs and are in severe hardship.
“We are not criminals”
ICE detainees in New Jersey stage hunger strike over coronavirus threat
By Erik Schreiber, 30 November 2020
Nine immigrants held at Bergen County Jail in Hackensack are demanding release from the rat-infested facility where social distancing is not possible.
French government orders dissolution of leading Muslim rights group
By Samuel Tissot, 30 November 2020
The executive committee of Collectif Contre Islamophobie en France preventively voted to dissolve itself before a government dissolution order came into force.
Who is Alejandro Mayorkas?
By Meenakshi Jagadeesan, 28 November 2020
Biden’s pick for DHS secretary was a key figure in the Obama administration’s detention and mass deportation of immigrants.
Spain’s PSOE-Podemos government builds migrant concentration camps on Canary Islands
By Alice Summers, 25 November 2020
Like Syriza in Greece, the “left populist” Podemos party is supporting the building of mass internment camps to imprison thousands of refugees.
French police launch violent crackdown on Paris refugee camp
By Will Morrow, 25 November 2020
Hundreds of homeless refugees were forced to march north until they reached the outer suburbs of Paris, pursued by police throwing teargas canisters as they went.
EU policy responsible for the massive death toll in the Mediterranean Sea
By Martin Kreickenbaum, 20 November 2020
More than 1,200 refugees have died trying to reach Europe this year, most of them drowned in the central Mediterranean.
Migrant workers demand right to return to their homes in New Zealand
By Tom Peters, 16 November 2020
The Labour Party government’s draconian border restrictions have left thousands of people stranded outside New Zealand despite being legally entitled to live in the country.
Citing illegal appointment of acting Homeland Security secretary, judge invalidates Trump’s restrictions on DACA program
By Jacob Crosse, 16 November 2020
It is entirely possible that the acting DHS secretary will be confirmed by the Senate and the restrictions he had imposed will be allowed to proceed, paving the way for the deportation of thousands of young people.
Immigrant women who accused ICE doctor of forced sterilization deported from the United States
By Kevin Martinez, 13 November 2020
One of the women who spoke to federal investigators was told only hours later by ICE that the hold on her deportation had been removed and that her removal was “imminent.”
More than 660 parents of separated immigrant children cannot be located by the US government
By Harvey Simpkins, 11 November 2020
After an ACLU lawsuit last month revealed that the parents of 545 immigrant children could not be located, a lawyer tasked with reuniting families revealed this week that the total has now risen to 666.
Trump administration detained over 500,000 immigrant children in three years
By Norissa Santa Cruz, 4 November 2020
New data shows that The Trump administration has detained half a million children, with over 250,000 in 2019 alone. Other revelations point to numerous Central American children being illegally sent to Mexico.
At least 140 drown in refugee boat disaster off Senegal coast
By Will Morrow, 2 November 2020
The increasing use of the dangerous route is the outcome of the European powers’ migration policies that led thousands of migrants to drown in the Mediterranean.
Clare Moseley on the horrific plight of English Channel migrants: “They are asking for help, but being treated like criminals”
By Laura Tiernan, 31 October 2020
The founder of refugee charity Care4Calais spoke with the WSWS about this week’s horrific loss of life on the English Channel, including the deaths of three children.
Three killed in terrorist attack on church in Nice, France
By Will Morrow, 30 October 2020
A lone attacker entered the building at 8:30 a.m. armed with a knife and attacked churchgoers who were attending the morning mass.
Johnson government’s war on migrants turns English Channel into a “graveyard for children”
By Laura Tiernan, 29 October 2020
Driven from their homes by British imperialism’s wars of aggression across the Middle East, these persecuted people have become the latest victims of the Johnson government’s xenophobic “deterrence” regime against immigrants and refugees.
Google providing US Department of Homeland Security with tech platform for virtual border wall
By Kevin Reed, 29 October 2020
Documents show that Google has been secretly working with the Trump administration on the development of a high-tech surveillance wall at the US-Mexico border.
Questions remain as to ties between police, border militias and Trump campaign in southwest US
By Chase Lawrence, 28 October 2020
Border militias in the Southwest have trained thousands of vigilantes with the same fundamental outlook as the men who plotted to kill Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. These groups have connections to individuals like Joe Arpaio, who is close to the Trump campaign.
Prospect of right-wing violence and police repression hangs over US election
By Eric London, 27 October 2020
Additional details are emerging of right-wing plans for election day violence as police prepare to repress election night demonstrations.
ICE uses torture to pressure African asylum seekers to agree to deportation
By Meenakshi Jagadeesan, 26 October 2020
In a blatant violation of international law and the US constitution, ICE officials in the privately run detention center in Mississippi have been forcing asylum seekers from Cameroon to sign their own deportation forms and quickly shipping them back on secret flights.
Spain’s “left populist” Podemos separates migrant children from their parents
By Alejandro López, 24 October 2020
A dozen children in the Canary Islands had been separated from their mothers or relatives for months, while DNA testing was carried out to verify they were related.
Hundreds of migrant children torn from their families under Trump’s “zero tolerance” policy yet to be reunited with parents
By Meenakshi Jagadeesan, 22 October 2020
More than 500 children who were taken away by the Trump administration as part of its brutal crackdown on undocumented immigrants three years ago are yet to be reunited with their families.
UK government steps up attacks on asylum seekers and refugees
By Julia Callaghan, 21 October 2020
The Conservative government has no intention of upholding the fundamental “right to asylum” section of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in the aftermath of the Second World War.
US border police attack Native American protest against Arizona border wall
By Adria French, 17 October 2020
Thirty protesters were shot with rubber bullets and teargassed during a ceremony Monday held at a border checkpoint on O’odham lands in southern Arizona.
“We need to take away the children”: Top Justice Department officials drove Trump’s anti-immigrant family separation policy
By Meenakshi Jagadeesan, 8 October 2020
While the specific officials mentioned in the report are no longer leading the department, the Trump administration’s cruel and inhumane treatment of immigrants has continued unabated.
Macron’s anti-Islamic separatism law: The death throes of French democracy
By Alex Lantier, 8 October 2020
This bill, which would impose control of Islam by the state and mass surveillance of the population, exposes the fascistic and anti-secular policies of the Macron government.
Honduran migrant caravan broken up by Guatemalan troops, as devastation grows across Central America
By Andrea Lobo, 7 October 2020
The caravan, disbanded with the assistance of the Mexican government, signals that growing layers of the population in Honduras and the region have reached a new level of social desperation.
US-Mexico border wall cutting through Native American tribal lands
By Adria French, 7 October 2020
Trump’s border wall is being constructed through culturally important sites, including Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and Tohono O’Odham lands in southwestern Arizona.
UK plans to detain refugees on prison ships
By Robert Stevens, 6 October 2020
Repressive anti-immigration policies, in Britain and Australia alike, have been built up over decades by all political representatives of the ruling class.
Trump administration prepares anti-immigrant raids in Democratic Party-led “sanctuary cities” ahead of November election
By Trévon Austin, 1 October 2020
The latest maneuver in Trump’s war on immigrants cannot be separated from his effort to carry out a coup d’état and establish a presidential dictatorship.
A murderous pact: The European Union to deport refugees
By Peter Schwarz, 26 September 2020
Wrapped up in sugary phrases about “values,” “responsibility” and “solidarity,” the EU Commission president has presented a plan that spells deportation, misery and certain death for hundreds of thousands.
Australian government seeks to ban phones in immigration detention
By Martin Scott, 25 September 2020
The proposed new laws will allow warrantless searches and the use of sniffer dogs.
Further revelations about sterilizations and medical malpractice at ICE detention facility in Georgia
By Meenakshi Jagadeesan, 24 September 2020
The latest revelations, including the naming of the doctor who performed them, strengthens the account given in a recent whistleblower complaint, while giving lie to the US government’s dismissals.
“I thought this was like an experimental concentration camp”
Nurse alleges forced sterilizations, medical malpractice at Georgia immigrant detention center
By Niles Niemuth, 16 September 2020
The chilling report provides further evidence of the sadistic abuse meted out by the Trump administration in its fascistic war on immigrants.
The Moria catastrophe and the European Union’s war on refugees
By Martin Kreickenbaum, 16 September 2020
The inhumane treatment of the desperate people on Lesbos is the product of deliberate policies being pursued by the European Union and its member states.
COVID-19 outbreak at Virginia migrant detention center caused by repression of anti-police brutality protesters
By Joe Williams, 14 September 2020
The outbreak at the Farmville detention center demonstrates the capitalist class’s disdain for democratic rights and the lives of the entire population.
Thousands sleeping rough after the burning down of Moria refugee camp on Lesbos
By John Vassilopoulos, 12 September 2020
Shocking footage and pictures show refugees of all ages sleeping on roads and hillsides, surrounded by their meagre possessions.
Australia’s brutal immigration policy in Stateless: “What is my crime?”
By Joanne Laurier, 12 September 2020
Stateless, now showing on Netflix, deals with the harsh Australian immigration detention program and the horrors inflicted on persecuted refugees fleeing colonial wars.
Lesbos refugee-camp blaze leaves 13,000 without shelter
By Robert Stevens, 10 September 2020
A call from a detainee during the blaze asked, “Where is the police, where is the fire brigade, where is anyone? We are burning, our tents are burning. Everything is burning. We came here to burn to death. All is on fire.”
Australia: International students and foreign visa holders face major social crisis
By Robert Campion, 4 September 2020
Some 61 percent of international students and other foreign visa holders were relying on savings which they said would be exhausted in a matter of weeks.
Oppose Trump’s mass arrest of 2,000 immigrants!
By Norissa Santa Cruz—SEP candidate for US vice president, 4 September 2020
The assault on immigrants across the United States is a threat to the entire working class.
Trump administration considered using “heat ray” microwave weapon on migrants crossing the US-Mexico border
By Carlos Reed, 2 September 2020
What was deemed too inhumane to be deployed in war has been discussed in the highest government circles for use as an anti-immigrant weapon.
Johnson government’s “hostile environment” for immigrants and asylum seekers wins fascist allies
By Robert Stevens and Barry Mason, 2 September 2020
This week, the Ministry of Defence confirmed that an Army Watchkeeper drone—previously used in Afghanistan war zones—is to fly over the English Channel to monitor migrant boats.
Immigration Nation reveals the suffering of migrants at the hands of the US detention and deportation machine
By Fred Mazelis, 1 September 2020
The Trump administration tried to stop or delay the release of this important documentary.
Greek government continues evictions of over 11,000 asylum seekers
By John Vassilopoulos, 31 August 2020
The ND government's actions are particularly brutal amid a resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic, with hundreds of new infections being announced each day.
EU refuses to accept hundreds of refugees rescued in the Mediterranean
By Martin Kreickenbaum, 31 August 2020
More than 400 refugees are waiting in the central Mediterranean Sea off Sicily to be assigned to a safe haven.
UK “hostile environment” sees two more asylum seeker deaths
By Thomas Scripps, 27 August 2020
Mercy Baguma’s death sparked anger with a protest held yesterday outside the Home Office immigration centre in Glasgow.
Sudanese refugee drowns attempting to cross English Channel
By Robert Stevens, 21 August 2020
Family members say the victim had his claim for asylum in France refused, and risked the dangerous sea crossing seeking a better life.
Federal judge orders second investigation into Virginia immigrant detention center hit by mass outbreak of COVID-19
By Joe Williams, 21 August 2020
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found prison staff were refusing to use safety equipment or provide inmates with protection from COVID-19.
Government watchdog concludes acting heads of Homeland Security were illegally appointed by Trump
By Jacob Crosse, 15 August 2020
The Government Accountability Office report is a soft rebuke to Donald Trump, who has frequently circumvented congressional approval in order to install acting department heads loyal to him.
Journalists in Malaysia persecuted for exposing treatment of migrant workers
By Owen Howell, 15 August 2020
The government’s investigation into seven Al Jazeera journalists, including a police raid of their offices, is part of a broader crackdown on press freedom.
Oregon residents block unmarked ICE buses carrying detained immigrants
By Julio Patron, 14 August 2020
The standoff lasted around 12 hours in Bend, Oregon, until dozens of federal agents were deployed to disperse the protesters using pepper spray.
Johnson government deploys armed forces against refugees making Channel crossings
By Tony Robson, 12 August 2020
These inhumane, illegal, and xenophobic measures must be opposed. What is being legitimised is state repression and a further evisceration of the right to asylum.
Germany deports Roma family to Moldova despite life-threatening conditions
By Carola Kleinert, 12 August 2020
The deportations were planned and carried out by the Social Democratic/Left Party/Green government in the state of Berlin.
New York University withholds completed dental degree, student facing deportation
By Sam Dalton, 8 August 2020
Despite their completion of coursework, an international student faces deportation because they are unable to pay exorbitant tuition costs and fees.
Canadian court rules Safe Third Country Agreement with US violates refugee rights
By Laurent Lafrance, 7 August 2020
The Trudeau government took advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to eliminate the “loophole” that had allowed some refugees fleeing Trump’s anti-immigrant witchhunt to escape immediate deportation under the STCA.
Germany: Right-wing terror in Erfurt
By Marianne Arens, 6 August 2020
On August 1, three Guineans were brutally attacked by neo-Nazis in Erfurt and had to be taken to hospital.
Trump installs ex-general and anti-Islam bigot in top Pentagon post
By Patrick Martin, 4 August 2020
The appointment of retired Gen. Anthony Tata was carried out by means of a maneuver designed to bypass opposition from both Democrats and Republicans in the Senate.
US Border Patrol raids “No More Deaths” humanitarian aid camp in southern Arizona
By Meenakshi Jagadeesan, 3 August 2020
Last week’s operation is presumed to be in retaliation for the organization’s recent exposure of the involvement of the paramilitary BORTAC force in a 2017 raid.
Lawsuit exposes massive COVID-19 outbreak at privately-run immigrant detention center in Virginia
By Joe Williams, 1 August 2020
The Farmville Detention Center has the largest COVID-19 outbreak of all immigrant detainment facilities in the United States.
In latest attack on immigrants
Trump administration suspends DACA applications and renewals
By Sam Dalton, 31 July 2020
A recent Supreme Court ruling has allowed the White House to make a new attack on the program.
Australian Tamil refugee mother denied urgent medical treatment for weeks
By Max Newman, 27 July 2020
Despite outrage in her Australian home town of Biloela, Priya Murugappan was flown to a mainland hospital only after suffering prolonged abdominal pain.
What is BORTAC and why is it patrolling the streets of Portland?
By Genevieve Leigh, 27 July 2020
The special paramilitary arm of Customs and Border Protection has been deployed to intimidate and terrorize young people and workers amid the greatest health, economic and political crisis in modern American history.
Trump signs executive order on 2020 Census declaring undocumented immigrants are not persons
By Meenakshi Jagadeesan, 25 July 2020
The order would affect the distribution of federal funding as well as the apportionment of congressional seats.
Couples and families separated by New Zealand’s border restrictions
By Tom Peters, 24 July 2020
A woman who is unable to enter New Zealand, despite being married to a citizen, said that migrants have become political pawns in the campaign for the national election.
Despite withdrawal of ICE ruling, international students in the US remain at risk
By Sam Dalton, 22 July 2020
Amid an intensifying anti-immigrant and anti-China campaign, Trump’s tactical retreat from the July 6 ruling putting international students at risk of deportation is not any cause for celebration.
Deaths in ICE custody rise as pandemic rages across the United States
By Meenakshi Jagadeesan, 20 July 2020
ICE reported the deaths of two men in custody over the last week, at least one of whom had tested positive for COVID-19 in early July.
COVID-19 outbreak hits central Michigan flood recovery migrant workers
By Luke Galvin, 20 July 2020
The workers were housed in cramped hotel rooms, with upwards of five workers per room.
Campaign continues against New Zealand visa processing delays
By Tom Peters, 20 July 2020
One migrant from South Africa told the WSWS that being sent back would put her in extreme poverty and at risk of dying from COVID-19.
Seventeen states and tens of universities file lawsuits against ICE attack on international students
By Sam Dalton, 14 July 2020
Even if the current set of lawsuits are successful, the immigration and educational rights of international students remain under threat.
After police killing of Badreddin Abadlla Adam
More evidence of ill-treatment of asylum seekers in Glasgow hotels
By Steve James, 9 July 2020
Two weeks after the police killing of 28-year-old Sudanese man Badreddin Abadlla Adam, asylum seekers in Glasgow continue to face appalling conditions.
US Border Patrol deployed against anti-police violence protestors
By Meenakshi Jagadeesan, 8 July 2020
Federal law enforcement agencies under the direction of the Trump administration are currently working with the Portland Police Bureau to suppress peaceful protests.
Hands off international students! Oppose ICE deportation of foreign college students!
By Joseph Kishore—SEP candidate for US president, 8 July 2020
The Trump administration’s xenophobic attempts to terrorize and scapegoat international students in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic must be opposed.
ICE threatens international students with deportation unless their college resumes in-person classes
By Sam Dalton, 7 July 2020
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, an ICE rule change is forcing international students to risk their lives to stay in the US
Dozens of immigrants drown in eastern Turkey’s Lake Van
By Barış Demir, 7 July 2020
Migrants traveling from Central Asian war zones are reportedly forced to travel by boat over Lake Van to bypass police checkpoints on land.
More migrants speak out against New Zealand’s visa-processing delays
By Tom Peters, 3 July 2020
There is growing support for a petition urging the government to immediately process tens of thousands of residency applications which have been left in limbo.
Australian state Labor government’s police arrest refugee protesters
By Michael Smith, 2 July 2020
Governments continue to condemn protests and invoke the COVID-19 pandemic in an effort to silence dissent, even as they accelerate the reopening of the economy.
Migrants challenge visa processing delays by New Zealand authorities
By Tom Peters, 1 July 2020
The Labour Party-led government is delaying the processing of migrant visa applications, leaving tens of thousands of people in limbo.
US Supreme Court rejects environmental groups’ appeal to halt border wall construction
By Jacob Crosse, 30 June 2020
The appeal was rejected without comment by the justices.
Sudanese asylum seeker shot dead in Glasgow
By Steve James, 29 June 2020
The tragedy is the consequence of the brutal treatment handed out to asylum seekers in the city and throughout the UK.
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