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People thought to be migrants board a small boat during foggy conditions on the beach in Gravelines, France, during an attempt to cross the Channel. Picture date: Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Photo: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

People thought to be migrants board a small boat during foggy conditions on the beach in Gravelines, France, during an attempt to cross the Channel. Picture date: Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Photo: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

People thought to be migrants board a small boat during foggy conditions on the beach in Gravelines, France, during an attempt to cross the Channel. Picture date: Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Photo: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

People thought to be migrants board a small boat during foggy conditions on the beach in Gravelines, France, during an attempt to cross the Channel. Picture date: Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Photo: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

📷 800+ migrants reached the UK after crossing the Channel, March 3-7. One dinghy departing Gravelines on March 4 "took passengers aboard in chaotic conditions ... before slowly disappearing into the mist, leaving behind some unlucky migrants and belongings abandoned on the beach," AFP wrote.

Italian minister says dialogue possible with local institutions on repatriations Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi has said he is willing to engage in wide-ranging dialogue with local administrations on a migrant repatriation center in the city of Bologna.

Regarding plans for a migrant repatriation center in the Italian city of Bologna, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said the centers "are useful across all of Italy" and that "everywhere there is the desire to control public security mechanisms."

EU to support overseas migrant 'return hubs' The European Union is set to approve a stricter migration policy that would allow rejected asylum seekers to be sent to return centers outside the bloc. Despite serious human rights concerns, supporte...

The EU is set to approve a stricter migration policy that would allow rejected asylum seekers to be sent to 'return hubs' outside the bloc.

Critics raise human rights concerns while supporters claim the plan will deter irregular migration.

Germany issues far fewer family reunification visas for refugees with limited protection Germany has drastically cut the number of visas available for family reunification of refugees with limited protection, leaving many families separated for extended periods of time.

Following a change in policy last year, Germany has drastically cut the number of visas available for family reunification of refugees with limited protection, leaving many families separated for extended periods of time.

80,000 migrants pushed back at EU borders in 2025, fewer than in 2024 According to a report by a coalition of European NGOs, more than 80,000 pushbacks took place at the European Union's external borders in 2025. This figure represents a 34 percent drop compared to 2024...

More than 80,000 #pushbacks took place at the #EU's external borders in 2025.

This figure represents a significant drop, but the NGOs behind the findings believe this is linked to an increase in interceptions before #migrants even reach #Europe's borders.

Syrians wait at a border crossing as refugees who had fled to Lebanon during the Syrian civil war continue returning to their country following Israeli attacks on Lebanon, in Damascus countryside, Syria, on March 7, 2026. Increased returns have caused congestion at the Cdeydet Yabus crossing in Damascus countryside and the Cusiye crossing in Homs province, while authorities are working to open additional crossings at Cisr Kammar and Dabusiyya. Izz Aldien Alqasem / Anadolu

Syrians wait at a border crossing as refugees who had fled to Lebanon during the Syrian civil war continue returning to their country following Israeli attacks on Lebanon, in Damascus countryside, Syria, on March 7, 2026. Increased returns have caused congestion at the Cdeydet Yabus crossing in Damascus countryside and the Cusiye crossing in Homs province, while authorities are working to open additional crossings at Cisr Kammar and Dabusiyya. Izz Aldien Alqasem / Anadolu

Syrians wait at a border crossing as refugees who had fled to Lebanon during the Syrian civil war continue returning to their country following Israeli attacks on Lebanon, in Damascus countryside, Syria, on March 7, 2026. Increased returns have caused congestion at the Cdeydet Yabus crossing in Damascus countryside and the Cusiye crossing in Homs province, while authorities are working to open additional crossings at Cisr Kammar and Dabusiyya. Izz Aldien Alqasem / Anadolu

📷Syrians wait at a border crossing in Damascus countryside, Syria, on March 7, 2026.

Thousands of Syrians living in Lebanon, many of them refugees displaced by their country’s civil war, have returned to Syria in recent days after Israeli airstrikes hit several Lebanese cities.

Foreigners increasingly turn to French courts to overcome administrative obstacles Foreigners in France are increasingly resorting to legal procedures to overcome administrative obstacles. Alexandre Delavay, a lawyer specialized in foreigner’s rights, responded to InfoMigrants' ques...

Foreigners in #France are increasingly resorting to legal procedures to overcome administrative obstacles.

Alexandre Delavay, a lawyer specialized in foreigners’ rights, spoke to @InfoMigrants about the "explosion" of such appeals.

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Sweden halts deportations of teen migrants whose families remain Sweden will temporarily pause the deportation of teenage migrants as the government plans to reform family immigration rules. The move comes after widespread criticism over cases where minors were for...

Sweden will temporarily pause deportations of teenage migrants after widespread criticism.

These cases involve minors who arrived with parents seeking asylum but who were ordered to leave upon turning 18, while their parents retain the right to stay.

Over 330,000 displaced by recent hostilities in Middle East and beyond, says UNHCR Over 330,000 people have been displaced by an intensification of hostilities in the Middle East and clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan, UNHCR spokesman Matthew Saltmarsh said on March 6.

Over 330,000 people have been displaced by an intensification of hostilities in the Middle East and clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the UN refugee agency said. #Iran #UNHCR

Britain toughens rules for asylum seekers in migration overhaul UK interior minister Shabana Mahmood announced tougher regulations on March 5, noting that they will revoke aid for asylum seekers and refugees with a criminal record.

In the UK, asylum seekers and refugees accused of crimes – or working illegally – are to be stripped of government aid and housing support.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced the plan last week.

Germany concerned Iran conflict may trigger new refugee flows to Europe Conservative German leader Friedrich Merz has expressed apprehension that prolonged conflict in Iran could destabilize the region and send new migration waves toward Europe. "We do not want to see a S...

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has expressed apprehension that prolonged conflict in #Iran could destabilize the region and send new migration waves toward Europe.

"We do not want to see a Syrian scenario," he has said.

Belgium Court suspends two measures on newly tightened asylum rules The suspension of the provisions on family reunification and asylum assistance comes in response to complaints brought before the court by affected asylum seekers and rights groups.

The Constitutional Court in #Belgium has suspended new #asylum rules from last July designed to limit family reunification for subsidiary protection holders & to cut reception of those protected elsewhere in the #EU.

Pending a #CJEU review, prior rules apply again amid claims of EU law violations.

346 people were rescued from waters near #Crete during seven different operations on Friday, March 6.

According to #Greek media reports, all of the rescued #migrants had set sail to #Greece from #Libya.

About 20,000 people managed to reach Crete in 2025 alone.

(file photo used for illustration)

Spain: Three former employees of center for migrant minors arrested on allegations of child abuse Three former workers at a center for young migrants in Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, have been taken into custody for the alleged mistreatment of minors, Spanish police announced on Tuesday. The fa...

Three workers at a facility for young #migrants in #Spain's #CanaryIslands have been arrested for the alleged mistreatment of minors. The individuals were previously employed at the center but weren't working there at the time of their arrest.

The Canary Islands host 5,800 unaccompanied minors.

Almost 8,000 migrants died or vanished on routes in 2025: UN Thousands of people died or went missing along global migration routes last year, the UN migration agency has reported. Deaths in the Mediterranean rose sharply early this year despite lower totals re...

At least 7,667 migrants died or went missing in 2025, the #UN migration agency reported, warning of a sharp rise in 2026 #Mediterranean deaths and urging stronger rescues and safer #migration routes.

Poland: Police detain 140 irregular migrants Polish police say they have detained 140 foreign citizens and carried out nearly 2,000 controls as part of a nationwide crackdown on individuals with outstanding warrants.

In #Poland, police have detained 140 foreign citizens as part of a nationwide crackdown on people with outstanding warrants for staying in the country "illegally."

More than 26,000 police and #Border Guard officials were reportedly part of the operation.

Italy: 80 migrants in repatriation centers transferred to Albania Eighty foreigners held at repatriation centers in Italy have been transferred to an Italian-run facility in Albania on two charter flights late last month, as part of a protocol signed by Rome and Tir...

Some 80 foreigners held at repatriation centers in #Italy were transferred to an Italian-run facility in #Albania on two charter flights late last month.

The #migrant repatration deal between Rome and Tirana has faced legal hurdles in the past, and remains divisive to this day.

Channel crossings: More and more are taking to the sea from Belgium to reach England According to Belgian authorities, an increasing number of migrant boats are leaving the Belgian coast to try to reach the United Kingdom by crossing the English Channel irregularly. This new route is ...

More and more #migrant boats are leaving from #Belgium to try to cross the #EnglishChannel and reach the #UK irregularly, as smugglers are trying to evade increased surveillance along the French coastline.

Belgium is located about 100km away from Britain - compared to 45km in the case of France.

Potential migration emergency on the agenda of EU interior ministers' meeting Thursday With the beginning of the conflict in the Middle East and the opening of a new front in Lebanon, Europe is facing a potential new wave of migrant arrivals. The theme is set to be on the agenda of a me...

The conflict in the #MiddleEast since last week could result in #Europe facing a wave of #migrant arrivals.

A meeting of the 27 #EU interior ministers in Brussels today will examine potential repercussions of the war in #Iran and the region - especially with the opening of a new front in Lebanon.

Spain: Immigrant from Senegal hoping for legal residency With workers in short supply, Spain plans to grant residency to about 500,000 undocumented immigrants. Many in Spain oppose the plan, but one displaced person from Senegal hopes this will allow him to...

With workers in short supply, Spain plans to grant residency to about 500,000 undocumented immigrants. Many in Spain oppose the plan, but one displaced person from Senegal hopes this will finally allow him to work legally 👇🏾📽️

Germany: Asylum appeals more than double between 2023 and 2025 The German Association of Judges (Deutscher Richterbund) says that the number of appeals against asylum refusals doubled between 2023 and 2025.

In Germany, the number of appeals against asylum refusals doubled between 2023 and 2025.

That's according to the German Association of Judges (Deutscher Richterbund).

Italy: Afghan refugees in Florence helped by police Municipal police officers in Florence have helped a family of Afghan refugees including a mother, father and four young children. The parents and kids were found in a situation of extreme need in the ...

Police officers in the Italian city of Florence have helped a family of Afghan refugees including a mother, father and four young children.

They were found in a situation of extreme need, local police said in a statement.

People thought to be migrants in Gravelines, France, before an attempt to board a small boat to cross the Channel. Picture date: Tuesday March 3, 2026. Photo credit should read: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

People thought to be migrants in Gravelines, France, before an attempt to board a small boat to cross the Channel. Picture date: Tuesday March 3, 2026. Photo credit should read: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

📷These pictures show migrants on a beach in Gravelines, France, before an attempt to board a small boat to cross the English Channel, dated March 3, 2026.

Since the beginning of the year, 2,209 people have crossed the Channel in small boats, UK Home Office data shows.

UK: 'Emergency brake' put on study visas from four countries The British government has said it will halt study visa applications for people from four countries, Afghanistan, Cameroon, Sudan and Myanmar. It is also halting the application of work visas for peop...

The UK will halt study visa applications for people from four countries:

➡Afghanistan,
➡Cameroon,
➡Sudan
➡Myanmar

The home secretary claims that more and more people from these four countries are attempting to use legal migration routes as a back door into the UK to claim asylum once there.

IOM chief warns of displacement risk amid regional escalation Amy Pope, Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), expressed concern over the escalation in the Middle East and the impact it will have on displaced persons.

Amy Pope, Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), expressed concern over the escalation in the Middle East and the impact it will have on displaced persons.

Germany stands firm on revoked Afghan promises amid lawsuits and Taliban crackdowns Despite over 500 lawsuits and harsher Taliban laws, Germany's government refuses to reinstate admission promises for 2,308 Afghans in Pakistan -- even as courts side with plaintiffs in most cases.

Despite over 500 lawsuits and harsher Taliban laws, Germany's government refuses to reinstate admission promises for 2,308 Afghans in Pakistan -- even as courts side with plaintiffs in most cases.

Humanitarian corridors celebrate 10-year anniversary in Italy A decade has passed since the first humanitarian corridor brought refugees to Italy. Their flight departed from Lebanon to reach Rome's Fiumicino airport on 29 February 2016, mainly carrying Syrians w...

A decade has passed since the first humanitarian corridor brought refugees to Italy.

➡️The first flight took off from Lebanon in 2016, mainly carrying Syrians fleeing war

➡️Overall, Italy has welcomed 7,462 people and Europe 1,130 as part of the program

What are 'bans on circulation within French territory', issued to migrants in the Hautes-Alpes region? The border police of France's Hautes-Alpes region have been issuing ICTFs (bans on circulation within French territory) to migrants since early January. Several associations described the practice as ...

France’s Hautes-Alpes border police have issued illegal “bans on circulation” (ICTFs) to migrants since January, a practice ruled unlawful by the Marseille court in several cases. Aid groups warn it violates asylum rights and risks criminalizing migrants.

UK: 'Major changes' to asylum system announced Britain's Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced a new 30-month asylum claim review on Monday among other major changes to the asylum system, which she described as "existential" to the country’s su...

People granted asylum in the UK will have, in the future, to review their refugee status every 30 months, instead of every five years, which is what is currently in place, Britain’s Home Secretary (Interior Minister) Shabana Mahmood announced.

'Authorities blame us for all the problems', say Senegalese migrants expelled from Mauritania Since tightening its migration policy in 2025, Mauritania has carried out large-scale expulsions of undocumented migrants, but also sometimes of those with legal status. These individuals say daily li...

Mauritanian authorities have carried out large-scale expulsions of undocumented migrants, but also sometimes of those with legal status, since last year.

InfoMigrants spoke to three Senegalese fishermen, who were affected by this anti-migrant policy.