Immigrants and refugees
Justice Department sues New Jersey and Washington state county over “sanctuary” policies
By Erik Schreiber, 13 February 2020
The lawsuits are a new stage in President Trump’s campaign of anti-immigrant bigotry. In their public responses to the lawsuits, Democratic officials from New Jersey and Washington state revealed their own willingness to trade away immigrants’ rights.
“I fear for the future of democracy in Britain”
Protesters speak out at demonstration against Tory government deportation plans
By our reporters, 11 February 2020
WSWS reporters spoke with those attending Monday night’s demonstration outside Downing Street in London demanding an immediate halt to all deportation flights.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shoots unarmed man in the face in New York City
By Shuvu Batta, 7 February 2020
Eric Diaz-Cruz was shot as he sought to stop his mother’s boyfriend from being detained by ICE early Thursday morning.
Human Rights Watch report finds 138 Salvadorans killed after being deported from the US
By Adam Mclean, 7 February 2020
The report, based on interviews with over 150 people over a one-and-a-half-year period, additionally identified 70 other deportees who were beaten, sexually assaulted, extorted or tortured.
President Trump expands anti-Muslim travel ban to thirteen countries
By Kevin Reed, 1 February 2020
Trump’s war on immigrants is intensifying in the aftermath of the impeachment trial and in the lead-up to the 2020 presidential election in November.
Right wing whips up anti-refugee sentiment in Greek island protests
By John Vassilopoulos, 31 January 2020
Posters advertising the protests portrayed refugees as invaders and bore the slogan “We want our islands back… we want our life back!”
Paralysed woman faces life-threatening deportation from New Zealand to Tonga
By Harry Hall and Tom Peters, 31 January 2020
Paraplegic woman Taipaleti Vaeatangitau is due to be deported with her family at the end of the month, despite doctors warning she could die in Tonga.
Amazon employees defy management and publicly protest corporate policies
By Kevin Reed, 30 January 2020
Hundreds of Amazon employees posted public criticisms of their employer and statements of support for fellow workers who have been threatened with firing for speaking out against the tech company’s climate policies.
US Supreme Court approves public charge rule directed against legal immigrants
By Jill Lux and Meenakshi Jagadeesan, 29 January 2020
The highly contested rule, which was announced last August, altered existing immigration law to allow the administration to deny visas to legal immigrants who it claims would rely on the government’s assistance.
Mexican President López Obrador breaks up migrant caravan
By Andrea Lobo, 28 January 2020
While claiming to “protect” migrants, López Obrador is protecting the political and financial ties of the Mexican oligarchy to US imperialism.
“People are going to die because of this”
Trump administration to deny visas to pregnant women
By Meenakshi Jagadeesan, 25 January 2020
The Trump administration has launched yet another salvo in its ongoing war against immigrants.
Iranian student deported from Boston by Customs and Border Protection despite court order
By Julian James, 25 January 2020
At the time of his deportation, Abadi held a valid F1 student visa recently issued by the United States Customs and Immigration Services to continue pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Northeastern University in Boston.
Bangladesh prepares to send 100,000 Rohingya refugees to isolated island
By Rohantha De Silva, 23 January 2020
More than 610,000 refugees currently live in overcrowded, prison-like camps surrounded by barbed-wire fences on Cox’s Bazar.
Chicago police to be deputized as federal immigration agents
By Kylie Rose and Andy Thompson, 20 January 2020
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency says it will use the Chicago Police Department to enforce federal immigration laws.
Trump administration to illegally divert an additional $7.2 billion to border wall construction
By Jacob Crosse, 17 January 2020
For the second year in a row, the Trump administration is diverting congressional appropriated funds in violation of the Constitution.
New migrant caravan departs Honduras defying stepped-up controls
By Andrea Lobo, 16 January 2020
Workers across Guatemala, Mexico and the United States must mobilize to demand the safe passage of their class brothers and sisters from Honduras.
German captain of refugee rescue ship “Lifeline” acquitted of criminal charges in Malta
By Marianne Arens, 16 January 2020
Despite the acquittal neither Malta nor the EU have retreated from its inhumane and murderous anti-refugee policy with Valletta continuing to prevent NGO ships from entering its waters.
New Zealand’s Daily Blog demands anti-immigrant measures against “Australians fleeing climate change”
By John Braddock and Tom Peters, 15 January 2020
The trade union-funded blog, which supports the Labour-led government, calls for a major increase in military spending to turn New Zealand into a “fortress” against immigrants.
Texas becomes the first state to refuse refugee resettlement
By Meenakshi Jagadeesan, 14 January 2020
An order issued by Trump in September precludes non-governmental and non-profit organizations from resettling refugees without the consent of state and local governments.
Denied US entry, asylum seeker takes his own life on US-Mexico border bridge
By Norisa Diaz, 11 January 2020
The suicide of Jesús García Serna casts light on the dire conditions facing the migrants being turned away from the US southern border.
Trump administration initiated program to deport Mexican asylum seekers to Guatemala
By Meenakshi Jagadeesan, 10 January 2020
The deportations were already under way when the story broke Monday; however, the Trump administration has since paused the program, in part due to the strong criticism from immigration advocates as well as within federal agencies.
Trump administration begins collecting DNA from detained immigrants
By Kevin Reed, 9 January 2020
The new policy violates Fourth Amendment rights and is the first step in the establishment of a law enforcement biometric database for the entire population.
Iranian-Americans detained at US-Canada border in wake of Suleimani assassination
By Benjamin Mateus, 7 January 2020
More than 60 US citizens were held at a border crossing in Washington state Saturday, subject to illegal detention and interrogation before being allowed to return to their own country.
Trump’s anti-asylum “Remain in Mexico” policy to expand to Arizona
By Adam Mclean, 4 January 2020
Immigrants seeking asylum at the border city of Nogales, Arizona, will be turned back and left to fend for themselves on the southern side of the border.
Three African migrants die in US custody during Christmas and New Year holidays
By Kevin Reed, 3 January 2020
The growing number of deaths shows that the mistreatment of immigrants by the US government is not incidental but deliberate.
Video shows Greek authorities performing illegal “push backs” at refugee crossing
By George Gallanis, 30 December 2019
A United Nations working group confirmed Greek authorities have been illegally deporting refugees for years, including under the Syriza government.
UK Muslims demand investigation of Conservative Party’s Islamophobia
By Jean Shaoul, 30 December 2019
Johnson put racism and Islamophobia at the heart of his election campaign, pitting Indian Hindu voters against Pakistani Muslim voters.
Trump boasts of Democrats’ backing for his assault on immigrants
By Bill Van Auken, 24 December 2019
With bipartisan support, conditions on the US-Mexico border and in detention centers for immigrants have become increasingly hellish.
Germany: Former secret service boss agitates against refugees and plays down right-wing terrorism
By Christoph Vandreier, 24 December 2019
One year after his removal as head of Germany’s domestic secret service, Hans-Georg Maassen (Christian Democratic Union, CDU) has become one of the spokesmen for the extreme right.
Homeland Security memo exposes appalling medical mistreatment of immigrants in US custody
By Kate Randall, 14 December 2019
Men, women and children have been subject to delayed treatment for medical and mental health conditions, unnecessary surgeries, forcible medication, and other mistreatment resulting in unnecessary suffering and death.
Southern Poverty Law Center report highlights abusive conditions in US immigration detention centers
By Adam Mclean, 14 December 2019
The report was based on a comprehensive study of four adult immigrant detention facilities in southern Florida.
Catastrophic conditions for refugees on Croatian border as authorities close camp
By Markus Salzmann, 13 December 2019
The catastrophic conditions in the Vucjak camp once again highlight the inhumane refugee policies of the European Union.
Video exposes US Custom and Border Protection’s lies in death of teenage immigrant
By Adam Mclean, 7 December 2019
The gross and criminal negligence shown in the video is not an accident, but is in line with the anti-immigrant policy of the Trump administration.
Over 250 students arrested in Michigan by ICE in fake university scam
By Jacob Crosse, 29 November 2019
After arresting 161 students in January and February earlier this year, US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement revealed that they had detained an additional 91 students in an ongoing sting operation conducted by the federal agency.
Trump threatens to designate Mexican cartels as “terrorists”
By Andrea Lobo, 28 November 2019
The step would set the stage for direct US military interventions in Mexico, while pressuring the Mexican government to escalate militarized repression of social opposition.
US activist who sheltered migrants found not guilty in second trial
By Aaron Murch, 22 November 2019
The verdict, after less than two hours of deliberation, reflects the broad support for humanitarian aid for immigrants.
Corbyn and main union backer McCluskey oppose Labour conference free movement pledge on immigration
By Robert Stevens, 15 November 2019
McCluskey intervened to ensure that it is the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s position that is reflected in this year’s election manifesto.
Harbor (Jeter l’ancre un seul jour): A young refugee in need finds allies
By David Walsh, 15 November 2019
In 23-year-old Paul Marques Duarte’s short film, a teacher helps “smuggle” an undocumented immigrant from France to England on board a ferry.
US Supreme Court hears oral arguments on Trump’s decision to end DACA
By Ed Hightower, 14 November 2019
The right-wing bloc appeared ready to serve up 800,000 undocumented immigrant youth to the Trump administration’s fascistic deportation machine.
US court rules routine border search and seizure of electronic devices unconstitutional
By Kevin Reed, 14 November 2019
The court ruled that routine searches and seizures of electronic devices at US ports of entry without “reasonable suspicion” are a violation of the Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution.
“Vietnam was the first and last war with no censorship”
Veteran photojournalist Tim Page discusses his “21” exhibition
By Richard Phillips, 14 November 2019
The “21” exhibition is just a small sample of the diverse and humane character of Page’s work.
Arizona: Second trial begins of pro-immigrant “No More Deaths” volunteer
By Meenakshi Jagadeesan, 13 November 2019
The main accusation against Warren is that he provided two undocumented migrants with food, water and a place to sleep over three days.
For a kinder, gentler assault on immigrants
Bernie Sanders unveils immigration plan
By Kevin Martinez, 8 November 2019
The Democratic presidential candidate rhetorically attacks theworst of Trump’s immigration policies but would keep the border regimeintact.
England-Bulgaria match highlights growing fascist activity around European soccer
By Paul Bond and Robert Stevens, 1 November 2019
The resurgence of fascistic forces in central and eastern Europe has been fuelled by the restoration of capitalism following the collapse of Stalinism three decades ago.
US detains record number of child migrants at the southwestern border
By Meenakshi Jagadeesan, 31 October 2019
According to new figures released on Tuesday, the United States has detained over 76,000 minors attempting to make the dangerous crossing at the US-Mexico border. This is a new record, 52 percent more than the detentions last year.
Germany: How Hesse authorities covered up the NSU and Lübcke murderers
By Peter Schwarz, 30 October 2019
Temme, an employee of the Hesse state branch of the secret service, maintained an official relationship with the neo-Nazi Stephan Ernst, the alleged murderer of the Kassel district president Walter Lübcke.
Many of 39 found dead in UK lorry were Vietnamese victims of people traffickers
By Robert Stevens, 28 October 2019
Many of the victims were Vietnamese, desperate to escape crushing poverty, only to die in Europe entombed in a dark container.
US military allowed to shoot at vehicles at entry ports along southern border
By Patrick Martin, 25 October 2019
Migrants at the US-Mexico border will be treated like suspected terrorists in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Thirty-nine migrants found dead in lorry trailer in UK
By Laura Tiernan, 24 October 2019
The real authors of this immense crime reside in 10 Downing Street, along with the government and opposition parties in Westminster Palace and their accomplices in every European capital.
Injured Honduran worker detained by US border agents after speaking out about deadly New Orleans hotel collapse
By Aaron Murch, 23 October 2019
Delmer Ramirez-Palma was one of five injured workers suing the owners of a hotel that collapsed while under construction October 12, killing three workers.
New Zealand government introduces class-based immigration restrictions
By Tom Peters, 22 October 2019
The Labour Party-led government has imposed draconian restrictions to prevent working class immigrants from bringing their parents to join them in New Zealand.
British family “emotionally and psychologically destroyed” by detention in US immigration prison
By Norisa Diaz, 17 October 2019
The tragic experience faced by the Connors family is a small glimpse into the horrors faced by those who flee their home countries, undertaking a perilous journey only to be detained, separated, and abused in America’s brutal concentration camps.
US immigration policies sending thousands of children, including babies, back to Mexico
By Kevin Martinez, 12 October 2019
The Trump administration has ordered 16,000 migrants under the age of 18 to await their US immigration court hearings in Mexico, including nearly 500 infants.
Immigrants shut down Matamoros-Brownsville border crossing in protest over US-Mexico asylum ban
By Eric London, 11 October 2019
The protest is a powerful indication of growing opposition among the estimated 40,000 immigrants being held in inhumane conditions in Northern Mexico.
Trump issues proclamation to deny immigration visas to workers lacking health insurance
By Casey Gold, 8 October 2019
Last Friday, the White House released a presidential proclamation suspending immigration visas for applicants “who will financially burden the United States health care system.”
ICE arrests nearly 600 immigrants in enforcement surge, targeting “uncooperative” local jurisdictions
By Leslie Murtagh, 7 October 2019
The coordinated attack on immigrants by the Trump administration across 20 states at the end of last month was the largest multi-state operation reported so far this year.
Mississippi city attorney argues immigrant killed by police had no rights under US Constitution
By Kevin Martinez, 3 October 2019
Ismael Lopez was shot and killed by Southaven, Mississippi police in July 2017 as they invaded his home, confusing it with the address of another man wanted for domestic assault.
Democrats exclude Trump’s fascist anti-immigrant policies from impeachment inquiry
By Eric London, 3 October 2019
According to the New York Times, Trump called for electrifying the border fence and shooting immigrants as they entered the US.
Protests after death in fire at Greece’s Moria concentration camp
By Robert Stevens, 1 October 2019
Moria is a hellhole established by the 2015-2019 pseudo-left Syriza government, where refugees and asylum seekers are held pending deportation.
Trump lowers cap on refugees to record low of 18,000
By Barry Grey, 28 September 2019
This latest move tightens the virtual ban on people fleeing poverty, violence and persecution around the world.
Malta agreement: The dying in the Mediterranean continues
By Marianne Arens, 27 September 2019
The Malta agreement is not intended to resolve the tragedy in the Mediterranean facing refugees fleeing war and poverty, but is only an attempt to remove it from the public eye.
Australian government seeks arbitrary powers to revoke citizenship
By Mike Head, 25 September 2019
The Citizenship Cessation Bill is another indication of the repressive measures that the ruling class is preparing to deal with rising working-class discontent.
US deal with El Salvador puts new roadblock to asylum seekers
By Norisa Diaz, 23 September 2019
The attempt to label El Salvador as a “safe third country” is a deeply sadistic measure to undermine the rights of asylum guaranteed by international asylum law.
Immigrant shot by ICE agents two weeks ago detained in lawyer’s parking lot in Nashville, Tennessee
By Casey Gold, 20 September 2019
ICE agents forced Jose Fernando Andrade-Sanchez to the ground, despite attempts to inform the agents that he was still injured from ICE’s previous attack.
Macron, Steinmeier visit Rome to prepare new EU repression of refugees
By Alex Lantier, 20 September 2019
The removal of the neo-fascists from the Italian government has not produced any shift towards a less militaristic and anti-refugee policy.
Inspector general report details Trump’s abuse of immigrant children
By Patrick Martin, 17 September 2019
Thousands of children have been subjected to intense trauma in the detention facilities of the Trump administration.
No letup in Trump’s war on immigrants as 37-year-old Mexican man dies in ICE custody
By Kevin Martinez, 14 September 2019
The recent Supreme Court ruling effectively eliminating the right to asylum is but the latest and sharpest expression of the attack on the rights of immigrants.
The bipartisan attack on the right to asylum
By Eric London, 13 September 2019
The US Supreme Court’s decision abolishes the right to asylum for hundreds of thousands fleeing imperialist war and violence.
Australian establishment demands removal of alleged “pro-China” member of parliament
By James Cogan, 12 September 2019
Gladys Liu has views that are at odds with the propaganda being promoted in Australia to justify the alliance with US imperialism and war preparations against China.
Greek riot police attack child asylum seekers and refugees at Moria camp
By John Vassilopoulos, 10 September 2019
The protestors were part of the 300 unaccompanied child asylum seekers recently interned at the camp.
Pentagon begins second phase of diverting funds to Trump’s border wall
By Patrick Martin, 5 September 2019
Defense Secretary Mark Esper has selected $3.6 billion worth of military construction projects that will be deferred to help pay for the wall on the US-Mexico border.
Mexican president used spy agency to monitor immigrant caravans
By Alex González, 5 September 2019
After claiming that Mexico’s spy agency would be dismantled and immigrants protected, AMLO has escalated attacks on democratic rights.
Stop the deportation of the Biloela refugee family from Australia!
the Socialist Equality Party (Australia), 4 September 2019
The fight to defend refugees can only advance through a struggle by the working class against the right-wing nationalist policies of the entire political establishment, including Labor and the Greens.
Courts back Trump administration as ICE continues to force-feed immigrants
By Adam McLean, 3 September 2019
Force-feeding typically can causes excruciating pain, is dangerous when performed on unwilling participants, and is recognized by international doctors’ associations as a form of torture.
New York cook arrested by ICE after filing lawsuit for $200,000 in stolen wages
By Owen Mullan, 3 September 2019
There is no doubt that the agency was tipped off on Xue Hui Zhang’s whereabouts in order to make his suit for repayment more difficult.
Australian government moves to deport Tamil refugees despite mass opposition
By Oscar Grenfell, 2 September 2019
The family has been transferred to Christmas Island, where they have been placed in substandard accommodation and given expired food.
Trump promises pardons for crimes committed to build border wall
By Patrick Martin, 30 August 2019
The report in the Washington Post underscores the criminal character of the Trump administration.
Harvard student deported over friends’ social media posts
By Trévon Austin, 30 August 2019
Ismail Ajjawi’s deportation is part of a campaign against immigrants and international students over purported concerns over “national security.”
Australian government seeks to deport Tamil refugee family to Sri Lanka
By Oscar Grenfell, 30 August 2019
The outpouring of support for the family reflects the broad opposition of working people to the bipartisan assault on asylum-seekers.
New US public charge rule may deter immigrants from vaccinating children
By Meenakshi Jagadeesan, 28 August 2019
Fear of being denied permanent residency for using social services is already causing immigrant parents to avoid accessing essential medical services for their children.
Australian Labor Party accuses government of “losing control” of borders
By Mike Head, 28 August 2019
Shadow home affairs minister Kristina Keneally condemned the government for allowing asylum seekers to arrive by plane.
Germany: A politically motivated verdict in Chemnitz refugee trial
By Marianne Arens and Peter Schwarz, 26 August 2019
A 24-year-old refugee from Syria has been jailed for years, so that the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the extremist mob, which rampaged in Chemnitz last summer, can claim their victim.
“This is a prison city”
Immigrants hold four days of protest outside Mexican detention center
By Alex González, 26 August 2019
Two hundred protesters staged sit-ins and blocked vans with migrants bound for deportation.
“We are all equal!” Captain who saved refugees refuses award from Paris mayor
By Will Morrow, 24 August 2019
Klemp repudiated the award and denounced the anti-refugee polices of the Paris authorities.
Trump orders indefinite jailing of detained immigrant families, attacks birthright citizenship
By Eric London, 22 August 2019
Democrats have largely backed Trump’s attacks on immigrants, with the New York Times describing his concentration camps as “family detention centers.”
Greece’s New Democracy government intensifies Syriza's anti-refugee policy
By George Gallanis, 22 August 2019
As it plans stepped-up police-state repression, ND bases itself directly on policies of the previous pseudo-left Syriza (“Coalition of the Radical Left”) government.
Trump administration refuses to vaccinate migrants in detention centers
By Alex González, 21 August 2019
The decision to run filthy and disease-ridden detention camps is part of a definite strategy by Trump’s fascistic advisers.
Glasgow: Lock-change evictions of asylum seekers restarted by Serco
By Steve James, 21 August 2019
Transnational service company Serco has restarted efforts to evict 300 asylum seekers in Glasgow.
Over 450 refugees stranded in the Mediterranean for weeks as EU bars entry
By Will Morrow, 20 August 2019
The EU governments have no substantial differences with the fascistic anti-immigrant policies of Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini.
Protesters pepper-sprayed outside Rhode Island ICE facility after officer drives truck into crowd
By Trévon Austin, 16 August 2019
At least one demonstrator was seriously injured in the attack, suffering a broken leg, internal bleeding, and a back injury.
“Voyage of the Damned:” Hundreds of refugees stranded in the Mediterranean
By Bill Van Auken, 14 August 2019
Europe’s governments have shut their doors to refugees rescued from the sea after fleeing death and torture.
Trump imposes new class-based immigration restrictions
By Eric London, 13 August 2019
The draconian regulation change means immigrants will be denied permanent residency if they have a low credit score, for example.
“Some kids are hiding in their house, Anne Frank-style”
Residents compare trauma of Mississippi ICE Raid to Hurricane Katrina
By Norisa Diaz, 13 August 2019
Children are afraid to attend school or leave their parents’ side. Families are hiding in their homes.
“We can come together as a force:” Nashville resident who saw neighbors stop ICE speaks out
By our reporters, 13 August 2019
Rosheda Martin lives in the Hermitage neighborhood, where residents physically prevented ICE from snatching their neighbors.
Scores arrested in protests against ICE in New York City
By Owen Mullan, 13 August 2019
The demonstrations pointed to the collaboration between border police and US technology firms such as Amazon.
Immigrant tent camps in Paris: Victims of France’s war on refugees
By Will Morrow, 13 August 2019
Every night in Paris, in sprawling tent encampments lying beneath highway overpasses, or in local playgrounds and parks, thousands of refugees go to sleep on the street.
“I begged them! I said ‘Please, I’ve never seen this country!’”
Detroit man dies after ICE deports him to Iraq
By Zac Corrigan, 10 August 2019
Jimmy Aldaoud was born in Greece to Iraqi refugee parents and arrived in the US as an infant in 1979. He was deported to Iraq in June and died this week.
The Mississippi raid: Trump’s attack on immigrants and his Democratic enablers
By Patrick Martin, 9 August 2019
Hundreds of children have been traumatized by having their parents ripped away from them and, in many cases, shipped to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement prison 150 miles away.
While Trump cries crocodile tears over massacre victims
ICE rounds up nearly 700 immigrants in sweep through Mississippi poultry plants
By Norisa Diaz and Patrick Martin, 8 August 2019
The Trump administration has given its real response to the fascist massacre in El Paso, Texas by carrying out the largest immigration raid since Trump entered the White House.
US doctors’ group urges probe into child migrant deaths from influenza
By Kate Randall, 2 August 2019
According to autopsy results, at least three migrant children have died in US custody as a result of influenza and its complications since December 2018, a rate of death substantially higher than that among children in the general population.
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