“Albania Takes the Lead in Saving Afghan Refugees”

Summary by Julia Fink (Research Team Member):

Since August, more than 2,000 Afghan families and female public leaders have been evacuated to Albania by nongovernmental organizations, such as the Afghan Future Fund.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama personally welcomed the first planes of refugees from the airport tarmac, honoring them as celebrated guests. Rather than creating refugee camps for their visitors, Rama set up accommodations for each of them at a seaside resort complex. The attitude of the country’s leader is reflected in the collective viewpoint of the citizens, with Albanians distributing winter clothes and medical treatment, leading English language classes, and more.

In an interview, Prime Minister Rama stated that “what we have done shouldn’t be considered extraordinary….How could we have done otherwise?” Rama and Olta Xhaçka, the Foreign Minister, drew on the experience of displacement due to conflict during the Balkan upheavals of the 1990s, explaining that because they understand the difficulties of fleeing one’s home, they want to do anything they can to help the Afghan refugees.

“B.C. SAR leader spent Christmas rescuing refugees attempting to cross Mediterranean”

“The small wooden boat held 15 people, including one pregnant woman, all soaked with sea water. Amber Sheasgreen took a few deep breaths as her training kicked in. Leading a crew of three, she helped the refugees into a rigid-hull inflatable boat called the Mo Chara, then transported them to a larger vessel, the Sea-Eye 4. Sheasgreen, an operations manager with the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCMSAR) on B.C.’s northwest coast, is using her Christmas break to work with Sea-Eye, a non-governmental organization that rescues refugees attempting to cross the Mediterranean from North Africa to Europe.”

“Hundreds of migrants remain trapped at the Belarus-Poland border”

“Migrants from the Middle East and elsewhere are stranded in Belarus, still hoping for asylum in the European Union. They are living in squalid conditions near the Polish border.”

“Syrian refugee crisis: Facts, FAQs, and how to help”

“Now in its 11th year, the Syrian refugee crisis remains the world’s largest refugee and displacement crisis of our time. Since the Syrian civil war officially began March 15, 2011, families have suffered under brutal conflict that has killed hundreds of thousands of people, torn the nation apart, and set back the standard of living by decades.

About 6.8 million Syrians are refugees and asylum-seekers, and another 6.7 million people are displaced within Syria. This means 13.5 million Syrians in total are forcibly displaced, more than half of the country’s population. Nearly 11.1 million people in Syria need humanitarian assistance. And about half of the people affected by the Syrian refugee crisis are children.”

“A Los Angeles woman invited an Afghan refugee family over for Thanksgiving. Here's what happened at their first Thanksgiving meal”

“‘Every homeland, every nation, every people, every person, they have got a culture or tradition, right? So it is our first time, and now we want to learn a little bit about what this is, really,’ Asghary (Afghan refugee) said.

Their host, Kiki Nagy, volunteers for Miry's List, a Southern California-based group that helps refugee families settle in the U.S. In August, during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, Miry's List enrolled more than 20 refugee families, about five times the number of families compared to the month before. Next year, the organization is working to prepare to help more than 300 families settle in Southern California.”

“‘Shocking’ that UK is moving child refugees into hotels”

“Record numbers of unaccompanied child asylum seekers who arrived in the UK on small boats are being accommodated in four hotels along England’s south coast, a situation that the Children’s Society has described as “shocking”.

“Some states dropping ‘dehumanizing’ terms for immigrants”

“Lawmakers in at least seven states considered eliminating use of “alien” and “illegal” in state statutes this year and replacing them with descriptions such as “undocumented” and “noncitizen,” according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Only two states, California and Colorado, actually made the change.”

“‘Afghan Girl’ From 1985 National Geographic Cover Takes Refuge in Italy”

“The “Afghan Girl” made famous after featuring on the cover of National Geographic magazine in 1985 has been granted refugee status by Italy's Prime Minister Mario Draghi….

‘The Taliban don’t want women to be visible, and she’s an extremely visible Afghan woman,’ Ms. Barr said of Ms. Gula.”

“‘I come, or I die’: fatalistic refugees say Channel crossing their only option”

“Several asylum seekers who have crossed in recent weeks and months said they were fully aware of the dangers but felt they had no choice.”

Mohammad, Afghan Refugee: “Everybody who gets into a small boat knows it is not safe. If there is a problem, you are going to die and the end of the day will be the end of your life.”

“Stopping dangerous Channel crossings: what experts and campaigners say”

“The government stands accused of misunderstanding the reasons behind the current crisis. The home secretary, Priti Patel, has claimed that 70% of people crossing in small boats are economic migrants, a claim disputed by the Refugee Council in new research. Undocumented economic migrants do not generally deliver themselves into the hands of Home Office officials as soon as they reach UK soil.

A recent high court case about support payments to asylum seekers in hotels revealed that Patel and the then immigration minister Chris Philp rejected recommendations from officials to make payments of £12.11 a week to asylum seekers in hotels for essential living needs because they did “not want to further increase any possible pull factors”. Asylum seekers insist they are not travelling to the UK in order to receive these modest payments.

Critics say it is hard to identify solutions if the nature of the problem is misunderstood.”

“Refugee women take the lead in combating gender-based violence”

“In Malaysia, Naima, Deborah and 14 other women representing seven diverse refugee communities were employed as community focal points to run online support groups that provide a safe space for women to open up about their experiences of gender-based violence.”

“Historic immigration reform included in House-passed spending bill”

“If the provision is approved by the Senate as-is, the immigration measure in the bill would allow undocumented people present in the U.S. since before 2011 up to 10 years of work authorization, falling short of an initial goal to offer them a pathway to citizenship.

The provision approved by the House offers a sort of waiver to immigration laws, using a process known as parole to allow people to stay in the country for five years with the option to extend for another five years thereafter.”

“Why Biden is struggling to revive the US refugee program”

“After the US refugee program hit historic lows during Donald Trump’s administration, President Joe Biden attempted to revive the program by raising the annual cap on admissions to 125,000. Despite these efforts, the US is still not taking in more refugees.”

“Thousands of Afghan children and teenage refugees will soon be enrolled in America’s public schools”

“The first students in what is expected to be many thousands of Afghan refugees have begun arriving in the nation’s schools, as educators and community groups around the country prepare to help with language classes, family support and trauma counseling.”

“Poland to build Belarus border wall to block migrant influx”

“Thousands of people - mostly from the Middle East and Asia - have tried to cross Poland's border in recent months. The EU accuses Belarus's government of driving the rise, in retaliation for sanctions against its regime. The 5.5m (18ft) wall will cost €353m (£297m; $407), and some critics say it is a waste of money. The legislation will now go to Poland's president, Andrzej Duda, who is expected to sign it into law. The wall - equipped with motion sensors and a monitoring system - will cover about half the length of Poland's 400km (250 mile) border with Belarus. The government plans to build it by next summer.”

“Biden administration in talks to pay $450,000 per person to immigrants separated at border”

“The U.S. Justice Department is in talks to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to each child and parent who was separated under a Trump-era practice of splitting families at the border, a person familiar with discussions to settle lawsuits said Thursday.”

“Greece rescues cargo ship carrying 400 migrants and refugees”

“Greece has mounted a rescue operation for a cargo ship carrying about 400 migrants and refugees after it sent out a distress signal off the island of Crete, according to the country’s coastguard.

The Greek coastguard quoted passengers as saying the Turkish-flagged vessel had sailed from Turkey, calling Friday’s response ‘one of the largest search and rescue operations carried out in the Eastern Mediterranean.’”

“US limits immigration arrests at schools, ‘protected’ areas”

“U.S. immigration authorities will limit arrests at schools, hospitals and other “protected” areas under guidelines issued Wednesday by the Department of Homeland Security, part of a broader effort to roll back the approach to enforcement under President Donald Trump.

Agents and officers are being directed to avoid making arrests or carrying out searches at a range of sensitive locations “to the fullest extent possible,” according to a memo from DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas outlining the policy.”

“Federal jury: Immigrant detainees are owed minimum wage”

“A federal jury has determined that The GEO Group must pay minimum wage — rather than $1 a day — to immigration detainees who perform tasks like cooking and cleaning at its for-profit detention center in Washington state.”

“US launches new program to allow private Americans to sponsor, resettle Afghan refugees”

“Amid the spike in need, the State Department has authorized a new non-profit called Community Sponsorship Hub to vet and train groups of private Americans that apply to host an Afghan refugee in their community -- using support from their local community and organizations like Welcome.US, Airbnb, Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services, and others…

This new program ‘harnesses this outpouring of support and enables individuals to become directly involved in the welcome and integration of our new neighbors,’ Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement, and ‘showcases the powerful role that individuals can play in coming together to welcome and integrate Afghans into American society, reflecting our spirit of goodwill and generosity.’”

“Conditions worsen for stranded migrants along Belarus-EU border” 

‘“We urge Belarus and Poland, as signatories to the 1951 Refugee Convention, to abide by their international legal obligations and provide access to asylum for those seeking it at their borders…Pushbacks, that deny access to territory and asylum, violate human rights in breach of international law,” said (Pascale) Moreau. (UNHCR Regional Director for Europe)’

“An update on Airbnb.org’s work to support Afghan refugees”

“…Airbnb.org will have the capacity to go above and beyond its initial commitment to house 20,000 Afghan refugees. If demand for housing aligns with supply in communities where refugees are resettling, these new resources could help provide housing for an additional 20,000 Afghan refugees. In addition to stays funded by Airbnb, Airbnb.org and donors, 5,000 Hosts on Airbnb have offered to provide free and discounted stays to Afghan refugees, with more Hosts volunteering to support refugees every day.”

“The US special envoy for Haiti abruptly resigned, slamming the US treatment of Haitian refugees as 'inhumane'“

“Ambassador Daniel Foote wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, saying he ‘will not be associated with the United States inhumane, counterproductive decision to deport thousands of Haitian refugees and illegal immigrants to Haiti, a country where American officials are confined to secure compounds because of the danger posed by armed gangs in control of daily life.’”

“Some Haitians at U.S. border released, others deported as pressure builds on Biden”

“Amid deteriorating conditions in migrant camps on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, U.S. authorities on Wednesday tried to deal with thousands of the mostly Haitian migrants that have gathered.”

“UN requests 'immediate access' to European borders after migrant deaths”

“Their demand comes after four migrants were found dead at Poland's border with Belarus over the weekend.”

“White House criticizes border agents who rounded up migrants on horseback”

“Press secretary voices concern over widely shared images as more than 6,000 migrants removed from Texas encampment”

“EU says it has no option but to talk to Taliban”

“The European Union has no option but to talk to Afghanistan's new Taliban rulers and Brussels will try to coordinate with member governments to organise a diplomatic presence in Kabul, the top EU diplomat (EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell) said on Tuesday.”

“Paralympic Games Welcomes First Official Refugee Team”

“For the first time, an official refugee team will participate in the Paralympic Games. Six refugee athletes will compete under the banner of the Refugee Paralympic Team (RPT) at Tokyo's 2020 Paralympic Games, due to start on the 24th of August. The team consists of one woman, and five men. 

Rather than representing a specific nation, as is the norm, these six will represent the 82 million people who have been forced to flee their homes and cross into another country.”

“Afghan refugee gives birth on US evacuation plane”

“The woman gave birth to a baby girl in the cargo bay of a C-17 aircraft after going into labour and experiencing complications during the flight, US Air Mobility Command said on Twitter. ‘The aircraft commander decided to descend in altitude to increase air pressure in the aircraft, which helped stabilise and save the mother’s life,’ the tweet said.

The woman was part of a group fleeing the Taliban in Afghanistan, and was on the second stage of an evacuation flight that had taken off from a base in the Middle East.”

“More than 100 Afghan refugees to resettle in Austin through Special Immigrant Visa program”

“More than 300 Special Immigrant Visa holders are expected to resettle in Texas over the next few weeks, with over 100 coming to Austin.”

“Explained: Which countries are taking in Afghan refugees?”

“The situation (in Afghanistan) has cast a shadow of uncertainty on the future of Afghan nationals and some nations have announced their policy on taking Afghan refugees.”

“Eritrean refugees demand protection amid Tigray war”

“Eritrean refugees have organised a protest in front of the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) office in the capital, Addis Ababa, demanding the relocation of thousands of refugees from camps in the war-torn Tigray region…

‘We want the world to know that Eritrean refugees are suffering in Ethiopia,’ Miku Digaffe, one of the organisers of the rally, told Al Jazeera. ‘We feel neglected and forgotten.’

In total, more than a million people have been displaced in Tigray since November 2020, when the government of Prime Miniter Abiy Ahmed deployed federal forces to the region after accusing the Tigrayan leaders of attacking an army base.”

“Misenga: A DRC refugee hoping to inspire millions at the Olympics”

“Surviving the civil war in [Democratic Republic of Congo] and living a challenging life in Brazil, Misenga says he never forgot his dreams and just wants to show the world that anything is possible…

We, refugees, have dreams, just like everybody else. We dream to be someone, to do something we like and we can never give up. I am an example of many refugees that are now able to go to school. I have managed to work on my dream and I would like to remind millions of refugees around the world to dream more and make things happen.”

“In Lithuania, Migrants Find Themselves Caught in a Geopolitical Battle”

“…battle lines appear to have been drawn at the Belarusian-Lithuanian border in recent weeks, as the number of migrants crossing into Lithuania, a member of the European Union, from Belarus has soared.

Lithuanian officials accuse Mr. Lukashenko (President of Belarus) of encouraging the migrants to cross the border, using them as “hybrid weapons.” In response, Lithuania is building a border fence as quickly as it can and just passed a law to fast-track asylum claims…

While Hungary’s border wall was heavily criticized in Brussels and by human rights groups, European Union leaders have supported Lithuania’s government in its efforts.”

“Visualising 70 years of refugee journeys”

“In 2020, 1.27 million people from 64 countries became refugees.”

“Barriers to accessing COVID vaccines persist for refugees”

”UNHCR is able to confirm that refugees and asylum-seekers have begun receiving COVID-19 vaccinations in 91 of the 162 countries monitored.”

“Vice President Kamala Harris visits the U.S.-Mexico border as immigration crisis continues”

“Vice President Kamala Harris made her first visit as vice president to the U.S.-Mexico border on Friday, where she toured immigration facilities and met with young women.”

“Police help Border Patrol catch migrants, which is bad policy, experts say”

“Federal agents encountered 172,331 migrants in March, higher than the 101,028 processed in February and nearly 70,000 higher than in March 2019, when large numbers of migrants arrived at the border, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection statistics. The number of family units and unaccompanied minors are on pace to surpass 20-year highs.”

“UN Seeks International Support for Rohingya Refugee Crisis”

“‘With the refugee crisis in its fourth year, Bangladesh needs robust and sustained international support to ensure safety and well-being of stateless Rohingya refugees," he said, ahead of next week's donor conference. "This must not become a forgotten crisis. Both Rohingya refugees and Bangladesh, having generously hosted them for decades, must see the world standing with them.’” - Andrej Mahecic, UN refugee spokesperson

“Spain and Morocco in diplomatic crisis after 8,000 migrants enter Spanish territory”

“A diplomatic rift has deepened between Spain and Morocco after thousands of undocumented migrants attempted to enter Spanish territory in the northern African country.”

“Advocates are Deeply Concerned with the Conditions of Mass Shelters Used to Detain Migrant Children”

“Immigration advocates credit the Biden administration with acting quickly to move tens of thousands of migrant children out of jail-like detention facilities on the U.S. southern border and into safer emergency shelters. But the advocates are now growing increasingly concerned about the conditions in the mass shelters, such as a military base in El Paso, Texas.”

“Northern Syria Security Dynamics and the Refugee Crisis”

“The vast majority of displaced Syrians fled their homes due to fighting, fear of violence, or an unwillingness to live under the brutal rule of Assad, IS while its so-called caliphate lasted, or the various armed groups that now hold sway in the rest of the country. While Syria’s crippled economy continues to drive people to migrate, the refugee and displacement crisis is fundamentally driven by security dynamics. Military actions continue to be the primary driver of displacement in and from Syria.”

“ACLU urges Biden administration to offer Covid-19 vaccine to detained immigrants”

“The American Civil Liberties Union is urging the Biden administration to provide Covid-19 vaccine access to immigrants in detention, citing the rapid spread of coronavirus in congregate settings, according to a letter sent to the Department of Homeland Security and obtained by CNN.”

“U.S. to accelerate court cases of some migrant families facing deportation” 

“Immigration judges in 10 cities are expected in general to issue decisions within 300 days of a family's first master calendar court hearing, barring some extensions to ensure families have access to due process and legal counsel, according to Justice Department guidance.”

“Immigration Weekly Round-Up: New Jersey Steps Closer to Banning Immigration Detention; Immigrants Eschewed Vital Benefits in Fear of Immigration Consequences; TPS Expanded for Haitians”

“In a recent announcement, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas stated that the United States will expand eligibility for Temporary Protect Status (TPS) for approximately 100,000 Haitian nationals currently residing in the United States. The new move would extend the TPS program for Haitians already enrolled for 18 months and expand eligibility to any Haitian national in the United States as of May 21, 2021.”

“Immigrant Advocates Protest Murphy's Plan For "Excluded" Workers Relief Fund”

“‘The fund leaves out 90% of the undocumented community in New Jersey,’ said Morin. ‘At this point workers are standing up to say this is not enough. Governor Murphy has the power to do more. The action he has taken is nowhere near enough to respect the contributions and the dignity of New Jersey’s excluded workers.’”