irregular migration

The 2026 election results in Bengal are a watershed moment that goes beyond simply altering the ruling party; it highlights the disintegration of a longstanding political regime. The BJP's sweeping triumph, driven by issues of illegal crossings and adjustments to voter lists, reflects a rising call for firmer governance.

The BJP has achieved a significant milestone by securing a victory in West Bengal in 2026, completing its symbolic arc across eastern India with control in Bihar, Bengal, and Odisha. This win consolidates a long-standing political project, marking a sharp turnaround for the party after a Lok Sabha setback and expanding its national reach.

Anti-incumbency against Trinamool is high, but BJP’ll still find it tough. Four reasons: disconnect with Bengali ‘culture’, immigration isn’t a big issue, anger over SIR, GOI blamed for ‘discontinuing’ rural jobs scheme

Assam's assembly elections have triggered a significant labour shortage across India. Migrant workers returning home to vote have impacted plantation work in Kodagu, waste collection in Lucknow, and various sectors in Kerala. This exodus, driven by voting and fears over citizenship, is causing disruptions and affecting daily operations in multiple states.

Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation's inaugural meeting erupted in chaos over the hazardous dumping ground and severe water shortages. Ruling Shiv Sena and BJP corporators clashed, highlighting toxic smoke from the quarry site impacting residents and a spiritual leader's health. Demands for relocation intensified, with the administration promising waste processing and a collective disposal mechanism.

UK has suspended student visas for nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan, arguing that the route is increasingly being used as a pathway to asylum claims. But the policy highlights a deeper shift: student mobility is now entangled with migration politics. As governments tighten visa rules, universities, asylum systems and international students are becoming part of the same policy equation.

A digitisation loophole enabled officials and agents in Rajasthan RTOs to revive prized vintage numbers, transfer them to new vehicles, and forge records, triggering a statewide fraud probe

The number of irregular migrant crossings into the European Union dropped by 20 percent in the first five months of the year, the EU's border agency said Wednesday. Irregular border crossings detected into the European Union were down 38 percent to 239,000 last year after an almost 10-year peak in 2023, according to EU border agency Frontex.

Germany has temporarily reinstated border controls on its western and northern frontiers to tackle irregular migration and cross-border crime. The six-month measure has sparked political debate, business concerns, and complaints from neighboring countries. Experts question the effectiveness of these controls, while police focus on larger vehicles at checkpoints.

The UK Home Office is implementing an "emergency brake" on sponsored study visas for nationals from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan, and skilled worker visas for Afghans. This measure, effective March 26, 2026, aims to curb widespread abuse of legal visa routes for asylum claims, which have surged significantly.

Germany sees a drop in illegal migrant entries. Figures show a decline from 2023 to 2025. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt pushes for stricter border checks. He instructs police to turn back asylum seekers. Border checks are showing positive results. However, the measures face political opposition. The Left Party questions the legality of the actions. Police welcome the new border controls.

Leaders of the European Union clashed on how to handle migration, with some supporting Brussels' initiatives to distribute migrants between member states, while others, like Hungary and Poland, refuse any shared responsibility. The disagreement comes after a recent breakthrough in negotiations. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban compared the situation to being "legally raped" and stated that he won't sign off on any deal.

Libya' the unrecognised administration backed by military leader Khalifa Haftar cannot be ignored. In their visit earlier this month, the European commissioner and ministers were meant to meet with eastern military officials.

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser is set to announce temporary border controls at all land borders to address irregular migration and Islamist extremism. This measure follows public concern after a deadly knife attack by a Syrian asylum seeker. The announcement precedes state elections in Brandenburg, where the Social Democrats govern in coalition with other parties.

The UK government announced a new sanctions regime targeting networks responsible for migrant smuggling, including Chinese manufacturers of boats and motors used. The measures, part of broader migration reforms, will include asset freezes and entry bans. Foreign Minister David Lammy emphasized this would be the first legislation focusing on irregular migration and organized immigration crime.

The state government has constituted a state-level committee headed by commissioner for NRI affairs.

Police in Cyprus on Wednesday arrested five Syrian nationals suspected of being part of a crime gang involved in human trafficking, the government said. The island, at the crossroads of three continents, has been struggling with a surge in irregular migration in recent years and arrivals by sea have risen in the past several days.

The total number of international migrants has grown by 49% since 2000, at a time when the global population has grown 23%.As a result, migrants have gone from 2.8% to 3.4% of the world's population.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin advocates for a multi-faceted AI governance framework, emphasizing societal norms alongside legal and technical standards. He also discusses Switzerland's commitment to a just peace in Ukraine through the OSCE and highlights the importance of free trade agreements like TEPA in challenging global trade times.

Experts like Benjamin Etzold criticize Germany's refugee policies as inadequate for global displacement challenges, advocating for multilateral solutions. They argue tightened border controls are ineffective, potentially fueling human trafficking. Researchers emphasize that providing legal pathways and improving living conditions in migrants' home countries are crucial to reducing irregular migration and upholding asylum rights, warning against prioritizing politics over legal obligations.