All articles tagged with #migrants
JD Vance invited Pope Leo XIV to the United States’ 250th July 4 celebration, but the pope offered a brief, noncommittal response and the Vatican later announced he’ll spend July 4 on the migrant-heavy island of Lampedusa, a move that sparked viral jokes about priorities.
Judges warn that the surge in immigration enforcement under President Trump is overwhelming federal courts, driving up caseloads and backlogs as detention measures and expedited removals expand, raising concerns about the system’s capacity to handle the surge.
The UN migration agency (IOM) says 53 people are dead or missing after a migrant boat capsized off the Libyan coast near Zuwara; only two survivors were rescued. Survivor accounts say one woman lost her husband and another lost her two babies. The boat had departed Al-Zawiya around 11:00 p.m. on Feb. 5 and capsized about six hours later. IOM warns trafficking networks exploit dangerous crossings and urges safer migration pathways to save lives, noting high death/missing tallies in the Central Mediterranean in January and 2025.
A rubber dinghy carrying about 55 migrants from several African countries capsized off north‑west Libya, killing 53 people including two babies; two Nigerian women survived and were rescued. The vessel sank about six hours after leaving al‑Zawiya, north of Zuwara, underscoring the ongoing perils of Mediterranean crossings, with around 500 migrants reported dead or missing in 2026 so far. The IOM highlights trafficking networks and unsafe vessels and calls for stronger international cooperation and safe migration pathways to prevent more tragedies.
Faber‑Castell, the world’s largest pencil maker, says Costa Rica misused its donated former factory (Maderin Eco/Catem site) by detaining 200 asylum seekers deported from the United States, a move HRW and rights groups say lacked legal basis. Costa Rica denies rights violations, while a court later found the detention violated fundamental rights and ordered potential compensation. The Catem facility, with a 300-person capacity, had around 60 migrants in early 2026 and none reported by late January; Faber‑Castell says it was unaware of the detention and is considering next steps.
A speedboat carrying 15 Afghan and Moroccan migrants collided with a Greek coastguard vessel near Chios, killing 15 and injuring 24; Greece blames smugglers, but past cases show official accounts can be questioned, with calls for independent evidence such as video or phone records amid ongoing probes and human-rights concerns.
At least 14 migrants died and 24 were rescued after a speedboat carrying them collided with a Hellenic Coast Guard vessel off Chios in the Chios Strait following a dangerous pursuit; a large search-and-rescue operation involving four coastguard vessels, a civilian boat, and a helicopter was under way, with injuries including several children and a pregnant woman. The exact circumstances are still being investigated.
South Africa’s Zulu king Misuzulu kaZwelithini used the derogatory term kwerekwere for African migrants, calling for all foreigners to leave the country. The remarks have stoked fears of renewed xenophobia and vigilante action, amid anti-migrant protests and political pressure in KwaZulu-Natal. Critics say the king’s comments, though not having formal political power, exacerbate tensions and risk further stigmatizing migrants, while debates continue over renaming KwaZulu-Natal and the broader impact on social cohesion.
Over 3,000 migrants died attempting to reach Spain by sea in 2025, a significant decrease from the previous year due to tighter border controls, but the routes have become more dangerous, with increased shipwrecks and new migration pathways emerging, highlighting ongoing human rights concerns and inadequate rescue efforts.
Palau has agreed to accept up to 75 migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, including financial assistance and support for security and civil service reforms, amid ongoing US immigration policies and debates over migrant transfers.
Pope Leo XIV called for deep reflection in the U.S. on the treatment of detained migrants, emphasizing their spiritual rights and the need for humane treatment, while also addressing geopolitical issues in Venezuela and the Middle East, advocating for dialogue and justice.
Pope Leo XIV criticized the treatment of migrants in U.S. detention centers, highlighting issues like denied access to Communion and calling for respect of their spiritual rights, amid escalating tensions between the Vatican and the Trump administration over immigration enforcement.
Pope Leo emphasizes the Catholic Church's core mission of helping the poor and migrants, advocating for compassion and social justice, and rebutting conservative critics who prioritize doctrine over charity, aligning with Pope Francis's focus on a Church for the poor.
Pope Leo XIV emphasizes the connection between faith and love for migrants, calling the church to prioritize social justice and care for the vulnerable, especially migrants and the poor, in his first official document, urging societies to address inequality and promote charity and compassion.
El Paso Bishop Mark Seitz met with Pope Leo XIV, delivering letters and a video highlighting the fears of migrants facing aggressive U.S. immigration enforcement, and received support from the Pope, who expressed solidarity with immigrant communities.