South Africa has stepped up its mass repatriation efforts, successfully returning thousands of undocumented foreign nationals to their home countries following weeks of volatile nationwide anti-immigrant protests and economic demonstrations.


South Africa repatriated thousands of immigrants following protests

Spain has deployed military personnel to Ceuta, its North African enclave, after an unprecedented surge of migrants crossed from Morocco, triggering one of Europe's biggest border crises in recent years.

According to reports, tens of thousands of migrants attempted to enter Ceuta by land and sea, while dozens reportedly lost their lives during the dangerous journey. Reception centers have become overwhelmed as authorities struggle to accommodate the growing number of arrivals.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has vowed to deploy all necessary resources while coordinating with Moroccan authorities to restore order. Meanwhile, Italy has called for Spain's suspension from the Schengen free-travel zone, arguing that Madrid's migration policies threaten European security—a claim Spain has rejected.

Political Tensions Grow Over Europe's Migration Policies | Wion 

South Africa is witnessing another wave of anti-immigration protests as tensions over undocumented foreign workers continue to escalate. Demonstrators in Cape Town and other regions are demanding stricter immigration controls, a pause on new visas, and action against fraudulent permits.

The unrest follows weeks of deadly anti-immigrant violence, with reports suggesting that more than 176,000 people have fled the country in recent weeks. Protesters argue that tighter immigration policies are necessary to protect jobs and opportunities for South African citizens.

Meanwhile, the African Union has backed South Africa's proposal for a continent-wide dialogue on migration instead of discussing xenophobic violence as a standalone issue. The move highlights growing concerns over migration, border management, and regional cooperation across Africa.

Anti-Immigrant Protest Held in Cape Town | Wion 

South Africa is calling for an Africa-wide conference on migration following weeks of deadly anti-migrant violence and growing tensions over undocumented foreign nationals.

As Africa's largest industrial economy, South Africa has long attracted migrants from across the continent. However, rising unemployment, economic pressures, and concerns over illegal immigration have fueled renewed protests and calls for stricter border controls. Thousands have reportedly fled amid escalating tensions, while anti-illegal immigration demonstrations in Cape Town have demanded tougher action against undocumented migrants, tighter visa policies, and investigations into fraudulent immigration documents.

South Africa Seeks Africa-Wide Migration Summit After Deadly Anti-Migrant Violence | Immigration Crisis

A nine-year-old Mexican child died while trying to cross the Rio Grande River into the United States, the Border Patrol said Friday amid a surge in migrants seeking to enter the country.

The child was found together with a Guatemalan woman and her three-year-old, all unconscious and stranded on an island in the middle of the river which demarcates the US-Mexico border in Texas on March 20.

"Agents found the individuals and immediately began administering first aid while transporting the migrants to shore," the Border Patrol said in a statement that did not state the deceased child's gender.

The woman and the three-year-old regained consciousness but the nine-year-old could not be revived.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lack-of-sanitation-and-social-distancing-how-immigrants-in-america-are-struggling-372618">Lack of sanitation and social distancing: How immigrants in America are struggling</a>

The three, who were not identified, were some of the 500 migrants rescued from dangerous situations in the past five months as thousands attempt to cross the border every day.

A senior Border Patrol official said Friday that the numbers continue to increase: some 6,000 undocumented migrants were caught on Thursday trying to enter the country.

Unlike in the past, when most of those caught crossing the southern border illegally were single adults, most recently about half have been either in family units or as unaccompanied children.

Most are being sent back into Mexico but all of the unaccompanied children and a number of the families are being allowed to stay in the United States.

Holding and processing facilities for the children at both the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are packed far beyond capacity.

On Wednesday the CBP was holding 5,156 migrant minors while HHS, which takes them from CBP and tries to place them with family members in the United States, had 11,900. &nbsp;

In February more than 9,000 unaccompanied children, mostly from Mexico and Central American, came in, and that number appears on track to top 14,000 this month.

"We are apprehending more people than we are discharging," the official, who declined to be identified, told reporters.

On Thursday President Joe Biden defended his handling of the increase in migrants, which has become his largest political liability two months into his adminsitration, after predecessor Donald Trump sought to seal off the border.

Biden called the surge seasonal, because it was the safest time to travel, and said the children were being accepted in for humane reasons.

The Border Patrol official said they expect the surge to continue at least through April.

"I fully expect the numbers to increase into the summer months," he said.

A nine-year-old Mexican child died while trying to cross the Rio Grande River into the United States, the Border Patrol said Friday amid a surge in migrants seeking to enter the country.

A nine-year-old Mexican child died while trying to cross the Rio Grande River into the United States, the Border Patrol said Friday amid a surge in migrants seeking to enter the country. The child was found together with a Guatemalan woman and her three-year-old, all unconscious and stranded on an island in the middle of the river which demarcates the US-Mexico border in Texas on March 20. "Agents found the individuals and immediately began administering first aid while transporting the migrants to shore," the Border Patrol said in a statement that did not state the deceased child's gender. The woman and the three-year-old regained consciousness but the nine-year-old could not be revived. Also read | Lack of sanitation and social distancing: How immigrants in America are struggling The three, who were not identified, were some of the 500 migrants rescued from dangerous situations in the past five months as thousands attempt to cross the border every day. A senior Border Patrol official said Friday that the numbers continue to increase: some 6,000 undocumented migrants were caught on Thursday trying to enter the country. Unlike in the past, when most of those caught crossing the southern border illegally were single adults, most recently about half have been either in family units or as unaccompanied children. Most are being sent back into Mexico but all of the unaccompanied children and a number of the families are being allowed to stay in the United States. Holding and processing facilities for the children at both the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are packed far beyond capacity. On Wednesday the CBP was holding 5,156 migrant minors while HHS, which takes them from CBP and tries to place them with family members in the United States, had 11,900. In February more than 9,000 unaccompanied children, mostly from Mexico and Central American, came in, and that number appears on track to top 14,000 this month. "We are apprehending more people than we are discharging," the official, who declined to be identified, told reporters. On Thursday President Joe Biden defended his handling of the increase in migrants, which has become his largest political liability two months into his adminsitration, after predecessor Donald Trump sought to seal off the border. Biden called the surge seasonal, because it was the safest time to travel, and said the children were being accepted in for humane reasons. The Border Patrol official said they expect the surge to continue at least through April. "I fully expect the numbers to increase into the summer months," he said.

Mexican child, 9, dies trying to enter US: Border patrol

Since the migrant crisis has been alarmingly increasing in the US, the newly-elected <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">President</a> has appointed his trusted right-hand woman to be in charge of migration for the country.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Biden </a>has given <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a> the responsibility of tackling the influx of migrants on the Mexican border.&nbsp;

"I can think of nobody who is better qualified to do this," Biden said at a White House meeting. "When she speaks, she speaks for me."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-to-hold-first-press-conference-after-breaking-100-year-record-without-one-372963">Biden to hold 1st press conference after breaking 100-year record without one</a>

The President also cautioned the Vice President that the responsibility is a tough but important one, to which Harris assured that while she is aware "that this is a challenging situation", she will put in her best to bring the country out of this crisis and help the migrants.

This is the first time Harris has been assigned a specific portfolio since she took over the office on January 20 — which earlier belonged to Mike Pence.

Biden administration has also announced that the San Diego Convention Center will be added to the list of shelters for the incoming migrant children. The centre will be able to accommodate nearly 1,400 children.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/united-states-president-joe-biden-appoints-harris-to-lead-efforts-to-tackle-crisis-373009">Watch |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/united-states-president-joe-biden-appoints-harris-to-lead-efforts-to-tackle-crisis-373009/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Talking about the crisis, Harris acknowledged that the country is stuck in a huge problem, but assured quick and reliable solutions.

"It's a huge problem. I'm not going to pretend it's not," she said in an interview.

However, she also added that the Biden administration is having to work through the damage done by the previous administration over a period of four years — an administration that ruled with anti-immigration agenda.

"We have to reconstruct it. It's not going to happen overnight," Harris said.

Since the migrant crisis has been alarmingly increasing in the US, the newly-elected President has appointed his trusted right-hand woman to be in charge of migration for the country.

Since the migrant crisis has been alarmingly increasing in the US, the newly-elected President has appointed his trusted right-hand woman to be in charge of migration for the country. Biden has given Kamala Harris the responsibility of tackling the influx of migrants on the Mexican border. "I can think of nobody who is better qualified to do this," Biden said at a White House meeting. "When she speaks, she speaks for me." Also read | Biden to hold 1st press conference after breaking 100-year record without one The President also cautioned the Vice President that the responsibility is a tough but important one, to which Harris assured that while she is aware "that this is a challenging situation", she will put in her best to bring the country out of this crisis and help the migrants. This is the first time Harris has been assigned a specific portfolio since she took over the office on January 20 — which earlier belonged to Mike Pence. Biden administration has also announced that the San Diego Convention Center will be added to the list of shelters for the incoming migrant children. The centre will be able to accommodate nearly 1,400 children. Watch | Talking about the crisis, Harris acknowledged that the country is stuck in a huge problem, but assured quick and reliable solutions. "It's a huge problem. I'm not going to pretend it's not," she said in an interview. However, she also added that the Biden administration is having to work through the damage done by the previous administration over a period of four years — an administration that ruled with anti-immigration agenda. "We have to reconstruct it. It's not going to happen overnight," Harris said.

'She speaks for me': Biden appoints Kamala Harris to handle immigration crisis

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