Immigration

Many more Afghans seek EU asylum after Taliban takeover Citizens of Afghanistan were by far the biggest group of people applying for asylum in the EU, Switzerland and Norway in September 2021.

(Deutsche Welle) Over 17,000 Afghans filed asylum claims in the European Union, Switzerland and Norway in September of 2021, compared to around 10,000 in August, the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) said on Friday. This represents a 72% increase compared to August, […]

Government & Politics

Michel opens door to EU funding for border walls The EU has long refused to allow such financing, but is under increasing pressure to relent amid the Belarus migrant crisis.

(Politico) European Council President Charles Michel turned heads Wednesday when he claimed the EU could legally fund border barriers — calling into question a long-standing EU refusal to allow such financing. “Based on an opinion of the Legal Service of the Council, […]

Government & Politics

Barbed wire, curfews and wi-fi: EU touts ‘new generation’ migrant camp in Greece The sprawling facility — the first of five the EU is funding — has amenities like playgrounds and air conditioning, but is also heavily policed and remote.

(Politico) Fifteen minutes outside the town of Vathy stands a just-completed compound, surrounded by a double barbed-wire fence. The entrance, only open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., is equipped with turnstiles, magnetic gates and X-ray machines. Guards check both ID cards […]