Iran and Pakistan have deported over 6,000 Afghan migrants in the past 24 hours, according to the Taliban-run commission for refugee affairs. This latest wave contributes to millions of forced returns this year, exacerbating Afghanistan's humanitarian crisis amid warnings from aid agencies.
Police in Badalona, Spain, evicted approximately 400 mostly undocumented migrants from the abandoned B9 school building on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. The eviction, ordered due to severe safety concerns and a judicial ruling, leaves many without immediate shelter. The building had been occupied since 2023, primarily by sub-Saharan migrants.
Both chambers of the Swiss Parliament have recommended that voters reject the Swiss People's Party's 'No to a ten million Switzerland!' initiative. The proposal aims to cap the country's permanent resident population at 10 million by 2050 and could lead to the termination of the free movement agreement with the EU. Parliament cited economic and international commitment concerns.
Anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies are escalating in the UK and across Europe, driven by migration's rise on the political agenda and growing support for right-wing parties. Recent policy changes include stricter settlement rules, increased salary thresholds for visas, and the cancellation of the controversial Rwanda plan by the new Labour government, which has also introduced its own tough measures.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has sharply criticized the European Union's newly approved Pact on Migration and Asylum, labeling it an 'absurd and unjust attack' on Hungary. Orban vowed that his country would not implement the measure, which mandates either accepting relocated migrants or paying a financial contribution, further escalating tensions with Brussels over migration policy.
Dutch migration minister David Van Weel has welcomed a new EU agreement on rules for returning third-country nationals staying illegally in the bloc. The deal, part of the broader EU Migration Pact, introduces EU-wide return procedures, allows for 'return hubs' outside the EU, and mandates cooperation from individuals facing return decisions.
Seventeen migrants were found dead in a partially deflated boat off the Greek island of Crete on Saturday, December 6, 2025. Two survivors were rescued in critical condition. The incident highlights the perilous shift in migration routes across the Mediterranean.
A new prediction from the British Future think tank suggests that the UK's net migration figures, set for release today, will drop to approximately 300,000, aligning with pre-Brexit levels. This anticipated decline follows recent Office for National Statistics revisions showing a significant fall in 2024, though public awareness of these trends remains low.
Germany is set to record a new high in deportations for 2025, with over 19,500 individuals expelled between January and October. This marks an 18% increase from the previous year, driven by stricter migration policies and new legislative measures.
Iceland is undertaking a comprehensive review of its migration rules following a significant surge in its population, largely driven by foreign nationals. A new report, published by the Minister of Justice, proposes 25 reforms to address inconsistencies with Nordic neighbors, economic vulnerabilities, and strain on infrastructure.
Germany's coalition government has implemented a policy change for Ukrainian refugees arriving after April 1, 2025. These individuals will now receive benefits under the Asylum Seeker Benefits Act, rather than the higher long-term unemployment benefits (Bürgergeld). This adjustment aims to encourage greater labor market integration and reduce social spending, affecting thousands of new arrivals.
Hundreds of sheep, led by shepherd Thomas Gackstatter, paraded through Nuremberg's city center on November 16, 2025, marking their annual migration to winter pastures. This traditional event, involving approximately 600-700 sheep and 30 goats, serves both as a cultural spectacle and a vital ecological practice for urban landscape management.
A significant criminal network, responsible for smuggling nearly 900 migrants into Europe, has been dismantled in a joint German-French operation. Six individuals were arrested, four in France, with support from Europol and Eurojust. The network earned over EUR 4 million through its illicit activities.
New Zealand is experiencing a significant 'exit wave' with a record number of citizens departing and fewer foreigners arriving. Net migration fell to 10,600 in the year to August 2025, driven by high costs, slow economic growth, and a weak labor market.
New Zealand is experiencing a notable 'exit wave' with net migration falling to its lowest level since 2013. A record 72,700 citizens departed in the year to September 2025, primarily for Australia, driven by high living costs, slow economic growth, and better overseas opportunities.
New Zealand is experiencing a significant 'exit wave,' with net migration falling to its lowest level since 2013. Record numbers of citizens are departing, primarily for Australia, while fewer non-citizens are arriving. High living costs and a weak economy are cited as key drivers of this trend.
New Zealand is experiencing a notable 'exit wave,' with provisional data from Stats NZ indicating a net migration gain of 27,100 in 2024, a sharp decline from 128,300 in 2023. This marks the lowest net migration since 2013, driven by a record loss of 47,100 New Zealand citizens and fewer non-citizen arrivals. High living costs, stagnant wages, and limited opportunities are prompting many to seek prospects, primarily in Australia.
A recent Gallup study reveals a record 40% of American women aged 15 to 44 express a desire to permanently move abroad, a significant increase over the last decade. This marks the largest gender gap ever recorded by Gallup, with only 19% of men in the same age group sharing this sentiment. Declining trust in U.S. institutions, particularly after the 2022 Dobbs decision, is cited as a key factor.
The European Commission has classified Czechia as facing a 'significant migration situation' due to hosting the highest number of Ukrainian refugees per capita in the EU. In response, the Czech Ministry of Interior has formally requested an exemption from contributions to the EU's new Solidarity Fund, citing the substantial burden already undertaken.
Minister of State for Migration Colm Brophy has announced €3.6 million in funding for 117 not-for-profit organizations across Ireland. The funding, allocated under the 2025 Integration Fund, will support projects aimed at promoting the integration of migrants and fostering a more inclusive society.
