Border policies ⁄ Open Migration

Out of the European Council comes an even stronger Fortress Europe

October 30, 2024 - Sara Gherardi

From the European Council meeting on October 17–18, it emerged that European leaders are determined to introduce increasingly restrictive policies and experiment with innovative solutions, further limiting the right to asylum.

What do we know about Italian detention centres in Albania?

September 2, 2024 - Open Migration Staff

On 6 November 2023, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Albanian President Edi Rama signed a Memorandum of Understanding between Italy and Albania to strengthen cooperation on migration issues. The Protocol lasts five years and can be further renewed. It was approved by the Italian Senate on 15 February, with 93 votes in favour and 63 against. On 29 January, the agreement was deemed legitimate by the Albanian Constitutional Court.

“Greece Kills Immigrants”

February 8, 2024 - Nancy Nguyen

Lesvos is one of the islands in the Aegean Sea, a place where many migrant people reach Europe. Over the years there have been many complaints regarding the Greek Coast Guard regarding forced pushbacks and acts of violence against people. Despite much evidence, including video, which confirms these complaints, the Greek government has not admitted responsibility, continuing to violate international law, starting with that which concerns the acceptance of asylum requests.

Criminalizing Immigration: the Case of Texas

January 24, 2024 - Nancy Nguyen

For years now, US border policies have attempted to stem the flow of migrants from Central America by coercive means, such as arrests and detentions without warrants, and the use of devices (barriers or buoys) to prevent people from entering the country. Now, these policies could take a further leap forward because of two bills recently passed in Texas. Nancy Nguyen writes about this for us.

Migrants in the UK Face a Perilous Future

January 15, 2024 - Marianna Karakoulaki

Stopping migration is one of the five main points of the British Prime Minister's program. After the rejection of the first agreement with Rwanda to send asylum seekers to this country, a new pact has been signed. There is discontent within the conservatives; between the most extreme faction who thinks that this agreement is not enough, and the centrists, who are convinced that it violates international law. Marianne Karakoulaki writes for us about what's happening across the Channel

Climate change and mobility: the case of Somalia

July 20, 2023 - Oiza Q. Obasuyi

Climate change is at the root of the many factors that push people to move. Among the most affected countries is Somalia, which besides being battered by internal conflicts, is particularly affected by environmental disasters ranging from floods to droughts, adding to food insecurity. In research by the HummingBird project conducted by Rahman Momeni, Tuba Bircan and Robert King, factors contributing to Somalia's climate mobility were analysed.

Undocumented yet overqualified. European prejudice excludes migrants

August 17, 2023 - Oiza Q. Obasuyi

One of the most widespread stereotypes concerns the 'irregular-unskilled' binomial attributed to undocumented migrant workers. In a new study published by researchers at the Vrije Universiteit in Brussels, it is explained that this binomial, besides being false, is however a consequence of the lack of regularisation paths. Oiza Q. Obasuyi tells us about it.

Border policies