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A collection of news articles, op-eds and thinkpieces on migration
Migrants protest at Istanbul detention center; more Afghans sent back 'home'
On the night of October 19, around 120 migrants fled from Kumkapi detention center in Istanbul, protesting their conditions. The migrants detained, mostly of Afghani and Pakistani origin, are facing deportation. To protest their living conditions in the repatriation center, the migrants set the furniture on fire.
Increasingly, Afghan migrants are sent back from Turkey as well as European countries and neighboring countries. Back in Afghanistan, fighting between the Taliban and government forces perseveres and continues to displace Afghans internally. Young Afghans, sometimes second or third generation migrants, especially suffer upon their return, having few links to the country and not knowing where to go.
Trump's presidency inspires movement across the States and migrants to change their routes
Building a border wall, deportation of undocumented migrants, and banning Muslims from travel to the U.S. were some of Trump’s prime campaign promises. Now that he has won the elections, experts discuss whether president-elect Trump can actually keep his promises to his voters. It’s likely that Trump will reverse Obama’s DACA program, which gave temporary protection from deportation and work permits to undocumented youth who entered the country before the age of 16, and expand the ICE force. The New Yorker takes a deeper look at the possible impact of Trump’s presidency on these “Dreamers”, fearing it may tear apart communities and their safety.
Meanwhile, cities and university campuses around the States have come together to stand up for the undocumented migrants in their communities. As Sanctuary Cities or Campuses, these spaces can become a safe haven for students, staff and their family members who face deportation under Trump’s administration. The movement dates back to the 1980s to protect those fleeing violence in Central America. Seattle, New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Philadelphia have already renewed their commitment as sanctuary cities. Now a growing number of university campuses is trying to do the same - and raises questions over the legal and federal basis of such a policy.
While Trump plays on the idea that thousands of Mexicans - and other Latin Americans - are trying to come to the United States, more and more migrants are in fact staying on the Mexican side of the border. There, they struggle to get (international) protection as most asylum claims are rejected by the Mexican Refugee Agency. Since Trump’s victory, some are returning home, fearing even more hardships and challenges under his presidency. At the same time, an increasing number of Mexican migrants in the U.S. is returning home, mostly through family reunification, totalling a net loss of 140,000 between 2009 and 2014.
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