Fewer than 20,000 undocumented migrants were caught trying to reach Spain via the Mediterranean in 2007 – half as many as the previous year. Government officials claim the drop confirms the success of a new strategy to tackle illegal immigration. Weekly meetings coordinates by Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega and other…
Italy and Libya have agreed to jointly patrol the Mediterranean Sea to stop illegal immigration from Libya to Italy. In the deal, Italy will supply Libya with six patrol boats to help officials from both countries increase their watch at ports and beaches that serve as popular departure points. The deail will save many human…
At least 14 people died off the south Italian coast in two separate tragedies. In once incident, seven people died after their wooden boat fell apart off of Calabria. Up to 150 people seeking illegal immigration are believed to have been on the boat, but only 120 survivors are accounted for. The immigrants, mostly Palestinians,…
In September, Spain and the International Organization of Migration (IOM) launched a massive campaign to broadcast the life-threatening risks and dangers of making the trip to reach Europe, hoping to dissuade would-be illegal immigration. Many Senagelese view the campaign with skepticism, citing the campaign as futile – people leave because they have no other choice,…
France wants to clinch agreements on curbing immigration with some 20 African countries by the end of 2009, Immigration Minister Brice Hortefeux said Wednesday. An agreement is currently under negotation with Congo Republic and “in the coming months I will begin discussions with other countries,” Hortefeux told a conference of French ambassadors in Paris. “We…
