Russia’s decision to grant asylum to Bashar al-Assad, the ousted Syrian president, sends shockwaves through the international community. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov confirmed Assad’s safe arrival in Russia, highlighting Moscow’s unwavering support for its longtime ally despite Western pressure. The move marks a significant blow to Iran and Russia’s adversaries, while raising questions about future prisoner exchanges and international legal ramifications.
A wave of over 2,000 migrants left Mexico’s southern border on Sunday, heading north towards the United States, just weeks before the US presidential election. This surge is fueled by economic struggles in Mexico and delays in US asylum appointments, with some migrants hoping for a change in US policy under a new administration. The move highlights the ongoing challenges of migration and the complex political landscape surrounding it.
Germany’s parliament has approved stricter asylum seeker rules, marking a shift towards a harder line on immigration in response to rising far-right influence and pressure from the European Union. The new measures, which include withdrawing benefits from asylum seekers already registered in other EU countries and stricter deportation procedures, come amidst concerns about public safety and overburdened public services. This change reflects a hardening attitude toward immigration across Europe, with far-right parties gaining momentum and EU leaders calling for more stringent measures to address the migrant crisis.
Pope Francis has offered to provide asylum at the Vatican to Myanmar’s detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, according to Italian media. This offer comes amidst ongoing concerns about Suu Kyi’s well-being and the deteriorating human rights situation in Myanmar since the military coup in 2021.
Rep. Darrell Issa accuses the State Department of misleading Congress about funding for a non-profit organization that provides guidance to migrants on how to navigate the U.S. asylum process. He alleges that the department’s funding of HIAS, despite their claims to the contrary, effectively encourages migrants to circumvent Mexican asylum options and enter the U.S. illegally.
The UK has ended its visa-free travel program for Jordanian citizens, citing a rise in asylum claims and breaches of travel regulations. This move comes as the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) program faces criticism and is set to expand to other nationalities in the coming months.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called for compromise between the European Commission and China, urging against a trade war. He also defended Spain’s decision to grant asylum to Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, highlighting it as a humanitarian gesture.
Three Pakistani hockey players and a physiotherapist have been banned for life after attempting to seek asylum in Europe during the Nations Cup. The players and physiotherapist slipped away from the team without the knowledge of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF). The PHF has condemned their actions and is seeking their deportation.
Despite ongoing investigations into thousands of potentially fraudulent applications, the Biden administration is planning to revive a program that allows migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to apply for entry and temporary work authorization in the United States. This program was temporarily paused last month to address concerns about fraudulent applications, but officials believe its availability helps deter illegal border crossings.
Over 600 Asian migrants, including individuals from India, Nepal, and Vietnam, are trapped in dire conditions at São Paulo International Airport in Brazil. These migrants, who arrived without visas, are facing harsh living conditions while awaiting entry into the country. The Brazilian government plans to impose new restrictions on the entry of certain Asian migrants starting Monday, requiring visas for those seeking refuge. The new policy impacts migrants using São Paulo as a layover to North America, prompting many to remain in Brazil seeking asylum.
