French police have arrested 44 migrants who had climbed aboard a ferry while it was docked at the port of Calais in the night of Saturday to Sunday, a Pas-de-Calais prefecture official told Reuters.

The migrants entered the highly protected port area on Saturday night and used ladders to climb aboard a ferry that had arrived from Dover in Britain.

The migrants are being held at the Calais police headquarters while police officials continued searching the ship on Sunday morning.

The prefecture and humanitarian organisations estimate that several hundreds of migrants are living in the Calais area, all hoping to find a way to get to Britain.

French police have arrested 44 migrants who had climbed aboard a ferry while it was docked at the port of Calais in the night of Saturday to Sunday, a Pas-de-Calais prefecture official told Reuters.

French police have arrested 44 migrants who had climbed aboard a ferry while it was docked at the port of Calais in the night of Saturday to Sunday, a Pas-de-Calais prefecture official told Reuters. The migrants entered the highly protected port area on Saturday night and used ladders to climb aboard a ferry that had arrived from Dover in Britain. The migrants are being held at the Calais police headquarters while police officials continued searching the ship on Sunday morning. The prefecture and humanitarian organisations estimate that several hundreds of migrants are living in the Calais area, all hoping to find a way to get to Britain.

France arrests 44 migrants who climbed onto a ferry in Calais

Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said Saturday that no decision has been taken on funding President Donald Trump's border wall with Mexico, a project that may come partly from redirected military funds.

Trump on Friday <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trump-declares-national-emergency-to-signs-border-wall-deal-197774">declared a national emergency</a> to address what he called an "invasion" of drugs, gangs, human traffickers and undocumented migrants over the US border with Mexico.

The declaration means he would be able to sidestep Congress to access federal funds from elsewhere to help pay for building the border wall. The move however was immediatly challenged in court.

"So very deliberately, we have not made any decisions. ... There has been no determination by me," Shanahan said on the way home from Germany.

Trump wanted Congress to authorize $5.7 billion for a wall along parts of the border, but lawmakers provided just $1.375 billion for barriers, not a solid concrete wall.

The White House said Friday that Trump will access $6.1 billion from two Pentagon sources: $3.6 billion from a military construction fund, and $2.5 billion from Defense Department counter-drug activity funds.

"We always anticipated that this would create a lot of attention and since money potentially could be redirected, you can imagine the concerns this generates," Shanahan said.

The Pentagon chief said he would "review that analysis now that the emergency has been declared. Based on that analysis, we can do an assessment of what would be appropriate."

He added: "We are following the law. We are using the rules. We are not bending the rules."

As a candidate, Trump repeatedly vowed that Mexico would pay for a wall.

Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said Saturday that no decision has been taken on funding President Donald Trump's border wall with Mexico, a project that may come partly from redirected military funds.

Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said Saturday that no decision has been taken on funding President Donald Trump's border wall with Mexico, a project that may come partly from redirected military funds. Trump on Friday declared a national emergency to address what he called an "invasion" of drugs, gangs, human traffickers and undocumented migrants over the US border with Mexico. The declaration means he would be able to sidestep Congress to access federal funds from elsewhere to help pay for building the border wall. The move however was immediatly challenged in court. "So very deliberately, we have not made any decisions. ... There has been no determination by me," Shanahan said on the way home from Germany. Trump wanted Congress to authorize $5.7 billion for a wall along parts of the border, but lawmakers provided just $1.375 billion for barriers, not a solid concrete wall. The White House said Friday that Trump will access $6.1 billion from two Pentagon sources: $3.6 billion from a military construction fund, and $2.5 billion from Defense Department counter-drug activity funds. "We always anticipated that this would create a lot of attention and since money potentially could be redirected, you can imagine the concerns this generates," Shanahan said. The Pentagon chief said he would "review that analysis now that the emergency has been declared. Based on that analysis, we can do an assessment of what would be appropriate." He added: "We are following the law. We are using the rules. We are not bending the rules." As a candidate, Trump repeatedly vowed that Mexico would pay for a wall.

No decision made on spending for Trump's wall: Pentagon chief

Angelina Jolie visits Rohingya camps, says their plight 'shames us all'

At least 28 Haitians have drowned off the coast of Abaco in the Bahamas, officials said Sunday, the latest tragedy at sea for migrants seeking to leave the Caribbean's poorest economy.

"Thus far, a total of 17 persons have been rescued alive and 28 bodies have been recovered from the water" after two days of dive operations, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force said.

The incident unfolded Saturday when the ship carrying the Haitians sank near Fowl Cay, six miles off the coast of Marsh Harbour, Abaco.

Fifteen survivors and 13 dead bodies were recovered Saturday in a joint mission between the RBDF and US Coast Guard. On Sunday, two more survivors were found alive on a nearby cay in addition to 15 bodies in the sunken vessel.

In a tweet, the US embassy in Haiti described the ship as a vessel trafficking people out of Haiti, adding: "No journey is worth risking lives - please urge families and communities: Illegal migrant &amp; smuggling operations are dangerous and frequently end in tragedy."

The RBDF added that this year alone, some 300 Haitians had been apprehended for illegal entry during four separate incidents.

In a country where more than 60 per cent of the population lives on less than two dollars a day, there are frequent attempts to reach the Bahamas or Turks and Caicos illegally.

In recent years, thousands of young Haitians have migrated to Chile or Brazil, countries where visas are more easily obtained.

Although Haitians historically have gone to the United States, and to Florida in particular, the flow of migrants has shifted to Canada and other neighbouring countries.

Since a devastating earthquake in 2010, about 60,000 Haitians have found temporary protected status in the United States.

US President Donald Trump's administration announced in 2017 it was terminating the program but the decision has been challenged in several court cases.

At least 28 Haitians have drowned off the coast of Abaco in the Bahamas, officials said Sunday, the latest tragedy at sea for migrants seeking to leave the Caribbean's poorest economy.

At least 28 Haitians have drowned off the coast of Abaco in the Bahamas, officials said Sunday, the latest tragedy at sea for migrants seeking to leave the Caribbean's poorest economy. "Thus far, a total of 17 persons have been rescued alive and 28 bodies have been recovered from the water" after two days of dive operations, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force said. The incident unfolded Saturday when the ship carrying the Haitians sank near Fowl Cay, six miles off the coast of Marsh Harbour, Abaco. Fifteen survivors and 13 dead bodies were recovered Saturday in a joint mission between the RBDF and US Coast Guard. On Sunday, two more survivors were found alive on a nearby cay in addition to 15 bodies in the sunken vessel. In a tweet, the US embassy in Haiti described the ship as a vessel trafficking people out of Haiti, adding: "No journey is worth risking lives - please urge families and communities: Illegal migrant & smuggling operations are dangerous and frequently end in tragedy." The RBDF added that this year alone, some 300 Haitians had been apprehended for illegal entry during four separate incidents. In a country where more than 60 per cent of the population lives on less than two dollars a day, there are frequent attempts to reach the Bahamas or Turks and Caicos illegally. In recent years, thousands of young Haitians have migrated to Chile or Brazil, countries where visas are more easily obtained. Although Haitians historically have gone to the United States, and to Florida in particular, the flow of migrants has shifted to Canada and other neighbouring countries. Since a devastating earthquake in 2010, about 60,000 Haitians have found temporary protected status in the United States. US President Donald Trump's administration announced in 2017 it was terminating the program but the decision has been challenged in several court cases.

28 Haitians dead after ship sinks off Bahamas: Officials

Pentagon sending 3,750 extra US forces to border with Mexico

A search was underway Sunday for four suspected migrants, three of them children, believed missing after trying to cross the river Evros from Turkey into Greece, local police said.

Twelve people overall were in a dinghy that sank on Saturday. Eight of them managed to swim to safety and alerted the authorities.

The river Evros has seen increased migrant traffic since Greek and EU naval patrols intensified in the Aegean in 2016.

Migration minister Dimitris Vitsas in October said numbers had increased dramatically, from more than 3,000 in 2016 to 5,500 in 2017 and some 12,000 up to that point last year.

Migration is among the issues to be discussed during a visit to Turkey next week by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.

A search was underway Sunday for four suspected migrants, three of them children, believed missing after trying to cross the river Evros from Turkey into Greece, local police said.

A search was underway Sunday for four suspected migrants, three of them children, believed missing after trying to cross the river Evros from Turkey into Greece, local police said. Twelve people overall were in a dinghy that sank on Saturday. Eight of them managed to swim to safety and alerted the authorities. The river Evros has seen increased migrant traffic since Greek and EU naval patrols intensified in the Aegean in 2016. Migration minister Dimitris Vitsas in October said numbers had increased dramatically, from more than 3,000 in 2016 to 5,500 in 2017 and some 12,000 up to that point last year. Migration is among the issues to be discussed during a visit to Turkey next week by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.

Three children missing as migrant boat sinks on border: Greek police

By Eleanor Paynter

President Trump has long called migration a security crisis, but in recent weeks he has also referred to the situation along the southern border as a humanitarian crisis.

As he ended the government shutdown in a televised speech on January 25, Trump reiterated his claim that a border wall between the United States and Mexico would save the lives of Central American migrants, many of whom are women and children.

“Walls work,” he said. “They save good people from attempting a very dangerous journey from other countries.”

As my doctoral research into Europe’s 2015-2016 refugee crisis shows, however, stricter border control doesn’t stop migration. Often, it makes it more dangerous.

Open arms or closed borders?

An estimated, 1.3 million migrants entered the European Union in 2015 — more than double the year before. They were seeking asylum protection from war, conflict and extreme poverty.

To put that figure in context, just half-a-million migrants — including asylum-seekers, who typically give themselves up to border agents — were apprehended at the US-Mexico border in 2018.

Most of Europe’s migrants came from Syria, Afghanistan or Iraq. Generally, these asylum-seekers entered the European Union via Turkey, crossing Macedonia, Serbia and other Balkan countries by foot.

Well over 100,000 migrants from sub-Saharan African countries reached southern Europe by the sea in 2015, crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa.

Overwhelmed with these increased arrivals, national governments in Europe took dramatically different approaches to manage their borders.

Germany threw its doors open. Almost 900,000 migrants arrived there in 2015 after the country suspended an EU rule requiring that migrants apply for asylum in the first EU country they set foot in.

Migrants arriving at southern nations like Greece and Italy generally hoped to continue north to Germany.

Greece, however, was unable to process the more than 850,000 migrants who arrived to its shores in 2015. It built holding camps on its Aegean islands, where people stayed in overcrowded, often inhospitable conditions for up to two years as their asylum claims were processed.

Other EU governments were openly hostile to refugees. Across Eastern Europe, countries along the Balkan route began to build and extend border barriers.

Europe had five border walls in 2014, built following the 1985 Schengen agreement amid concerns about immigration at the bloc’s external borders. By 2017, it had 15 barriers, according to the not-for-profit Transnational Institute, and a heavily patrolled maritime border.

Hungary, perhaps the EU’s least immigrant-friendly country, built a high-tech fence that uses thermal detection and cameras to monitor movement, with speakers that blare warnings in five languages.

Walls make migration more dangerous

Border walls have not stopped migration into Europe.

Tens of thousands of migrants still cross the Balkans to reach the EU each year – they just do so in more dangerous conditions.

Before the walls, migrants travelled in groups, with or without the help of smugglers.

Now, paying a smuggler is the only way for migrants to avoid border guards and pass barriers. For several thousand dollars, smugglers bribe EU border agents, hide migrants in trucks or walk them across EU borders under cover of darkness.

Europe’s refugee crisis has now become a housing crisis.

At least 10,000 migrants now live in homeless encampments or squats across Italy. And after the French refugee camp known as “The Calais Jungle” was demolished in 2016, nearly as many people scattered to makeshift camps or the streets of French cities.

Stopping migrants before they arrive

Italy, where most refugees arrive by boat from North Africa, has tried to keep migrants out in a different way: It outsources its border security.

In 2017, Italy struck a deal to supply the Libyan coast guard with vessels and anti-smuggling training. The agreement promised $325 million if Libyan agents would intercept migrants crossing the Mediterranean and return them to Libyan detention centres.

Human rights organisations have questioned the deal, citing Libya’s political unrest and documented history of migrant enslavement and torture. Returning migrants to detention centres in Libya may also violate international law since refugees cannot be kept safe there.

In my own interviews with African migrants in Italy who’d crossed the Sahara to Libya, many told me that they eventually boarded a boat there not as a final step toward Europe, but to escape imprisonment or torture in Libya.

Libyan coast guard boats have left many migrants stranded at sea. In September 2018, when a boat carrying 100 migrants capsized, Italy and Libya blamed one other for the failed rescue.

Libya’s deterrence mission conflicts with the rescue operations of aid boats that bring migrants to Europe. Italy says rescues invite more migration, despite research disproving this claim.

Last June, 629 migrants, including 123 unaccompanied minors and seven pregnant women, were held at sea for over a week, unable to seek asylum or aid.

Malta, Spain and France have since repeatedly closed their ports to rescue vessels, refusing to bear responsibility for the migrants on board.

Lessons for the US

Irregular migration to Europe did decrease last year, primarily because fewer Syrians are fleeing their war-torn country. More migrants – nearly 700,000 people – are also being detained in Libya.

Migrant routes into the EU also continue to shift in response to closing borders. Spain, for example, has seen sea arrivals increase tenfold since 2015.

In my assessment, Trump’s crackdown along the US-Mexico border will have similar results. There are signs of this already.

A decades-old US policy of paying Mexico to secure its southern border with Guatemala to keep Central American migrants out has merely made the journey riskier, according to a 2018 United Nations report.

To avoid apprehension by Mexican border patrol, some migrants get from Guatemala to Mexico by water, on boats that are often operated by traffickers.

As in Europe, migrants now increasingly rely on smugglers to get across the US-Mexico border, who may charge more than $10,000 per family.

That does not guarantee safe passage. Between August and October last year, smugglers abandoned more than 1,400 migrants, including children, in the sweltering Arizona desert. Hoping to find safety in large groups, more migrants are now travelling in caravans.

As the US and the EU struggle to resolve their border crises, migrants will continue to flee their home countries seeking protection. Heightened border control certainly won’t make them safer.

(Eleanor Paynter is PhD Candidate, Comparative Studies, The Ohio State University)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/europes-refugee-crisis-explains-why-border-walls-dont-stop-migration-110414">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

By Eleanor Paynter President Trump has long called migration a security crisis, but in recent weeks he has also referred to the situation along the southern border as a humanitarian crisis.

By Eleanor Paynter President Trump has long called migration a security crisis, but in recent weeks he has also referred to the situation along the southern border as a humanitarian crisis. As he ended the government shutdown in a televised speech on January 25, Trump reiterated his claim that a border wall between the United States and Mexico would save the lives of Central American migrants, many of whom are women and children. “Walls work,” he said. “They save good people from attempting a very dangerous journey from other countries.” As my doctoral research into Europe’s 2015-2016 refugee crisis shows, however, stricter border control doesn’t stop migration. Often, it makes it more dangerous. Open arms or closed borders? An estimated, 1.3 million migrants entered the European Union in 2015 — more than double the year before. They were seeking asylum protection from war, conflict and extreme poverty. To put that figure in context, just half-a-million migrants — including asylum-seekers, who typically give themselves up to border agents — were apprehended at the US-Mexico border in 2018. Most of Europe’s migrants came from Syria, Afghanistan or Iraq. Generally, these asylum-seekers entered the European Union via Turkey, crossing Macedonia, Serbia and other Balkan countries by foot. Well over 100,000 migrants from sub-Saharan African countries reached southern Europe by the sea in 2015, crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa. Overwhelmed with these increased arrivals, national governments in Europe took dramatically different approaches to manage their borders. Germany threw its doors open. Almost 900,000 migrants arrived there in 2015 after the country suspended an EU rule requiring that migrants apply for asylum in the first EU country they set foot in. Migrants arriving at southern nations like Greece and Italy generally hoped to continue north to Germany. Greece, however, was unable to process the more than 850,000 migrants who arrived to its shores in 2015. It built holding camps on its Aegean islands, where people stayed in overcrowded, often inhospitable conditions for up to two years as their asylum claims were processed. Other EU governments were openly hostile to refugees. Across Eastern Europe, countries along the Balkan route began to build and extend border barriers. Europe had five border walls in 2014, built following the 1985 Schengen agreement amid concerns about immigration at the bloc’s external borders. By 2017, it had 15 barriers, according to the not-for-profit Transnational Institute, and a heavily patrolled maritime border. Hungary, perhaps the EU’s least immigrant-friendly country, built a high-tech fence that uses thermal detection and cameras to monitor movement, with speakers that blare warnings in five languages. Walls make migration more dangerous Border walls have not stopped migration into Europe. Tens of thousands of migrants still cross the Balkans to reach the EU each year – they just do so in more dangerous conditions. Before the walls, migrants travelled in groups, with or without the help of smugglers. Now, paying a smuggler is the only way for migrants to avoid border guards and pass barriers. For several thousand dollars, smugglers bribe EU border agents, hide migrants in trucks or walk them across EU borders under cover of darkness. Europe’s refugee crisis has now become a housing crisis. At least 10,000 migrants now live in homeless encampments or squats across Italy. And after the French refugee camp known as “The Calais Jungle” was demolished in 2016, nearly as many people scattered to makeshift camps or the streets of French cities. Stopping migrants before they arrive Italy, where most refugees arrive by boat from North Africa, has tried to keep migrants out in a different way: It outsources its border security. In 2017, Italy struck a deal to supply the Libyan coast guard with vessels and anti-smuggling training. The agreement promised $325 million if Libyan agents would intercept migrants crossing the Mediterranean and return them to Libyan detention centres. Human rights organisations have questioned the deal, citing Libya’s political unrest and documented history of migrant enslavement and torture. Returning migrants to detention centres in Libya may also violate international law since refugees cannot be kept safe there. In my own interviews with African migrants in Italy who’d crossed the Sahara to Libya, many told me that they eventually boarded a boat there not as a final step toward Europe, but to escape imprisonment or torture in Libya. Libyan coast guard boats have left many migrants stranded at sea. In September 2018, when a boat carrying 100 migrants capsized, Italy and Libya blamed one other for the failed rescue. Libya’s deterrence mission conflicts with the rescue operations of aid boats that bring migrants to Europe. Italy says rescues invite more migration, despite research disproving this claim. Last June, 629 migrants, including 123 unaccompanied minors and seven pregnant women, were held at sea for over a week, unable to seek asylum or aid. Malta, Spain and France have since repeatedly closed their ports to rescue vessels, refusing to bear responsibility for the migrants on board. Lessons for the US Irregular migration to Europe did decrease last year, primarily because fewer Syrians are fleeing their war-torn country. More migrants – nearly 700,000 people – are also being detained in Libya. Migrant routes into the EU also continue to shift in response to closing borders. Spain, for example, has seen sea arrivals increase tenfold since 2015. In my assessment, Trump’s crackdown along the US-Mexico border will have similar results. There are signs of this already. A decades-old US policy of paying Mexico to secure its southern border with Guatemala to keep Central American migrants out has merely made the journey riskier, according to a 2018 United Nations report. To avoid apprehension by Mexican border patrol, some migrants get from Guatemala to Mexico by water, on boats that are often operated by traffickers. As in Europe, migrants now increasingly rely on smugglers to get across the US-Mexico border, who may charge more than $10,000 per family. That does not guarantee safe passage. Between August and October last year, smugglers abandoned more than 1,400 migrants, including children, in the sweltering Arizona desert. Hoping to find safety in large groups, more migrants are now travelling in caravans. As the US and the EU struggle to resolve their border crises, migrants will continue to flee their home countries seeking protection. Heightened border control certainly won’t make them safer. (Eleanor Paynter is PhD Candidate, Comparative Studies, The Ohio State University) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Europe’s refugee crisis explains why border walls don’t stop migration

Pope Francis wasted no time wading in on the standoff over funding for a <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-offers-temporary-protection-to-immigrants-in-return-for-his-wall-democrats-say-no-191509&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiq2o7IyIXgAhUHso8KHeRUDU4QFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw3iMMK7iPlQNvLOFQIUTAlZ">US-Mexico border wall</a> on Wednesday as he started his trip to Panama, saying on the plane from Rome that hostility to immigrants was driven by irrational fear.

In a brief conversation between the pope and journalists on the flight, one reporter described the barrier that juts out into the Pacific Ocean between the two countries in San Diego, California, as a "folly".

Francis, who has made the defence of migrants a key part of his papacy, responded: "Fear makes us crazy".

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-reiterates-demand-for-wall-attacks-media-191492&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjYofXgyIXgAhVVknAKHZQEC5IQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0kEDorYu3T_d6V7J1EqXde">President Donald Trump</a>, with whom the pope has sparred before on immigration, has triggered a US government shutdown over demands for $5.7 billion in funding for a wall along the United States' southern border.

Immigration is expected to be one of the main themes of Francis's six-day trip. The pope met eight refugees in Rome before heading to the airport for his 13-hour flight to Panama for World Youth Day.

Since mid-October, thousands of Central Americans, mostly from Honduras, have travelled north to the United States through Mexico in caravans, some walking much of the way.

Many are seeking asylum, saying they suffer from rampant crime and bleak opportunities in their native countries.

"Nobody wants to leave their country but young Salvadorans are doing it searching for opportunities, employment, security," said Edwin Valiente, a 28-year-old architecture student who came to Panama from El Salvador for Francis' visit.

Francis, on his first trip to Panama and the first by a pope since 1983, was greeted at the airport by President Juan Carlos Varela and thousands of cheering children.

World Youth Day has been dubbed the "Catholic Woodstock", a jamboree where young people celebrate their faith and discuss social issues. It is held in a different city every three years.

About 150,000 have registered for this year's event, being held in Latin America for only the third time since Pope John Paul instituted it in 1985.

Several hundred thousand people are expected at the final Mass at a park on Sunday that will be open to all visitors and citizens of the country of 4 million people, which is about 89 per cent Catholic.

Pope Francis wasted no time wading in on the standoff over funding for a US-Mexico border wall on Wednesday as he started his trip to Panama, saying on the plane from Rome that hostility to immigrants was driven by irrational fear.

Pope Francis wasted no time wading in on the standoff over funding for a US-Mexico border wall on Wednesday as he started his trip to Panama, saying on the plane from Rome that hostility to immigrants was driven by irrational fear. In a brief conversation between the pope and journalists on the flight, one reporter described the barrier that juts out into the Pacific Ocean between the two countries in San Diego, California, as a "folly". Francis, who has made the defence of migrants a key part of his papacy, responded: "Fear makes us crazy". President Donald Trump, with whom the pope has sparred before on immigration, has triggered a US government shutdown over demands for $5.7 billion in funding for a wall along the United States' southern border. Immigration is expected to be one of the main themes of Francis's six-day trip. The pope met eight refugees in Rome before heading to the airport for his 13-hour flight to Panama for World Youth Day. Since mid-October, thousands of Central Americans, mostly from Honduras, have travelled north to the United States through Mexico in caravans, some walking much of the way. Many are seeking asylum, saying they suffer from rampant crime and bleak opportunities in their native countries. "Nobody wants to leave their country but young Salvadorans are doing it searching for opportunities, employment, security," said Edwin Valiente, a 28-year-old architecture student who came to Panama from El Salvador for Francis' visit. Francis, on his first trip to Panama and the first by a pope since 1983, was greeted at the airport by President Juan Carlos Varela and thousands of cheering children. World Youth Day has been dubbed the "Catholic Woodstock", a jamboree where young people celebrate their faith and discuss social issues. It is held in a different city every three years. About 150,000 have registered for this year's event, being held in Latin America for only the third time since Pope John Paul instituted it in 1985. Several hundred thousand people are expected at the final Mass at a park on Sunday that will be open to all visitors and citizens of the country of 4 million people, which is about 89 per cent Catholic.

Pope says fear of migrants makes people 'crazy'

Hundreds of mostly <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/hondurans-form-a-new-us-bound-caravan-drawing-fire-from-trump-191110">Honduran migrants</a> entered southern Mexico on Friday, joining around 1,000 other people from Central America who crossed a day earlier and putting to the test Mexico`s vows to guarantee the safe and orderly flow of people.

The cohort crossed the Guatemalan border into Chiapas state before dawn without needing the wrist bands that Mexican officials on Thursday gave migrants to wear until they could register with authorities, several migrants and an official told Reuters.&nbsp;

"The road today was open," said Marco Antonio Cortez, 37, a baker from Honduras travelling with his wife and children, ages 2 and 9. "They didn`t give us bracelets or anything, they just let us pass through Mexico migration."

A migration official at the entry point, who asked not to be named because she was not authorized to speak to media, said that at least 1,000 people crossed from Guatemala into Mexico before dawn, without putting on wrist bands.

Asked why migrants did not receive wrist bands, David Leon, the director of civil protection, said authorities faced a caravan of hundreds of people early in the morning and let them pass rather than risk a confrontation.

The migrant group proceeded on foot alongside cars on a highway, accompanied by federal police officers, arriving at a shelter in the city of Tapachula around midday.

Sitting by the side of the road rubbing cream onto his children`s feet, 40-year-old Honduran migrant Santos Pineda said he and his family entered Mexico easily, and without having to provide documents or wear any wrist bands. The family`s plan was to press on to the United States, he said.

A migration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said those who entered without wrist bands ran the risk of being detained for crossing illegally. 
Around 300 mostly Honduran migrants with wrist bands were still waiting to cross into Mexico on Friday afternoon.

Mexico`s migration institute said the migrants can stay in temporary shelters in Mexico until they receive humanitarian visas allowing them to remain in the country, or they can wait in Guatemala for their document to be ready.

Groups of migrants left El Salvador and Honduras earlier in the week, the latest in a string of caravans of people largely fleeing poverty and violence.&nbsp;

The caravans have inflamed the debate over US immigration policy, with President Donald Trump using the migrants to try to secure backing for his plan to build a wall on the US-Mexican border.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is pursuing a "humanitarian" approach to the problem, vowing to stem the flow of people by finding jobs for the migrants. In exchange, he wants Trump to help spur economic development in the region.

Hundreds of mostly Honduran migrants entered southern Mexico on Friday, joining around 1,000 other people from Central America who crossed a day earlier and putting to the test Mexico`s vows to guarantee the safe and orderly flow of people.

Hundreds of mostly Honduran migrants entered southern Mexico on Friday, joining around 1,000 other people from Central America who crossed a day earlier and putting to the test Mexico`s vows to guarantee the safe and orderly flow of people. The cohort crossed the Guatemalan border into Chiapas state before dawn without needing the wrist bands that Mexican officials on Thursday gave migrants to wear until they could register with authorities, several migrants and an official told Reuters. "The road today was open," said Marco Antonio Cortez, 37, a baker from Honduras travelling with his wife and children, ages 2 and 9. "They didn`t give us bracelets or anything, they just let us pass through Mexico migration." A migration official at the entry point, who asked not to be named because she was not authorized to speak to media, said that at least 1,000 people crossed from Guatemala into Mexico before dawn, without putting on wrist bands. Asked why migrants did not receive wrist bands, David Leon, the director of civil protection, said authorities faced a caravan of hundreds of people early in the morning and let them pass rather than risk a confrontation. The migrant group proceeded on foot alongside cars on a highway, accompanied by federal police officers, arriving at a shelter in the city of Tapachula around midday. Sitting by the side of the road rubbing cream onto his children`s feet, 40-year-old Honduran migrant Santos Pineda said he and his family entered Mexico easily, and without having to provide documents or wear any wrist bands. The family`s plan was to press on to the United States, he said. A migration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said those who entered without wrist bands ran the risk of being detained for crossing illegally. Around 300 mostly Honduran migrants with wrist bands were still waiting to cross into Mexico on Friday afternoon. Mexico`s migration institute said the migrants can stay in temporary shelters in Mexico until they receive humanitarian visas allowing them to remain in the country, or they can wait in Guatemala for their document to be ready. Groups of migrants left El Salvador and Honduras earlier in the week, the latest in a string of caravans of people largely fleeing poverty and violence. The caravans have inflamed the debate over US immigration policy, with President Donald Trump using the migrants to try to secure backing for his plan to build a wall on the US-Mexican border. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is pursuing a "humanitarian" approach to the problem, vowing to stem the flow of people by finding jobs for the migrants. In exchange, he wants Trump to help spur economic development in the region.

Hundreds of Central American migrants enter Mexico with few checks

A new US-bound caravan of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/migrant-caravan-presses-on-towards-us-despite-offer-of-jobs-from-mexico-173922">Honduran migrants</a> grew to nearly 1,000 people as it neared the Guatemalan border on Tuesday, a Honduran official said, while US President Donald Trump seized on news of the group to try to drum up <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-threatens-to-use-emergency-power-to-build-wall-end-shutdown-189577">support for a border wall</a>.

Honduran Deputy Foreign Minister Nelly Jerez told reporters that there were between 800 and 1,000 people travelling together and headed towards the Agua Caliente border crossing into Guatemala.&nbsp;

Central American migrant caravans heading towards the United States have inflamed the debate over US immigration policy, with Trump using the groups to seek backing for his plan to build a wall on the US-Mexico border.&nbsp;

Television footage on Tuesday showed groups of mostly young men, carrying bags of belongings, leaving the notoriously violent Honduran city of San Pedro Sula and flagging down rides to catch up with the caravan that left the same city on Monday.

"I am going to the United States to see if there is an opportunity to work because here in Honduras there is nothing," a 25-year old named Cristian told reporters.

The group will likely face weeks of travel to get to the US border.&nbsp;

Around 2,500 migrants from a previous wave of Central Americans who crossed Mexico have been camping in squalid shelters in the Mexican border city of Tijuana.

Trump has described the migrants as an invading force and sent troops to reinforce the border last year. On Monday, the Pentagon announced it would extend the deployment of around 2,350 troops to the US border through the end of September.&nbsp;

As a partial government shutdown dragged into its 25th day on Tuesday, Trump invoked the new caravan on Twitter to pressure US lawmakers. Democrats have resisted Trump`s insistence that Congress shell out $5.7 billion for wall funding.

"A big new Caravan is heading up to our Southern Border from Honduras," Trump said. "Only a Wall, or Steel Barrier, will keep our Country safe! Stop playing political games and end the Shutdown!" 
&nbsp;

A new US-bound caravan of Honduran migrants grew to nearly 1,000 people as it neared the Guatemalan border on Tuesday, a Honduran official said, while US President Donald Trump seized on news of the group to try to drum up support for a border wall.

A new US-bound caravan of Honduran migrants grew to nearly 1,000 people as it neared the Guatemalan border on Tuesday, a Honduran official said, while US President Donald Trump seized on news of the group to try to drum up support for a border wall. Honduran Deputy Foreign Minister Nelly Jerez told reporters that there were between 800 and 1,000 people travelling together and headed towards the Agua Caliente border crossing into Guatemala. Central American migrant caravans heading towards the United States have inflamed the debate over US immigration policy, with Trump using the groups to seek backing for his plan to build a wall on the US-Mexico border. Television footage on Tuesday showed groups of mostly young men, carrying bags of belongings, leaving the notoriously violent Honduran city of San Pedro Sula and flagging down rides to catch up with the caravan that left the same city on Monday. "I am going to the United States to see if there is an opportunity to work because here in Honduras there is nothing," a 25-year old named Cristian told reporters. The group will likely face weeks of travel to get to the US border. Around 2,500 migrants from a previous wave of Central Americans who crossed Mexico have been camping in squalid shelters in the Mexican border city of Tijuana. Trump has described the migrants as an invading force and sent troops to reinforce the border last year. On Monday, the Pentagon announced it would extend the deployment of around 2,350 troops to the US border through the end of September. As a partial government shutdown dragged into its 25th day on Tuesday, Trump invoked the new caravan on Twitter to pressure US lawmakers. Democrats have resisted Trump`s insistence that Congress shell out $5.7 billion for wall funding. "A big new Caravan is heading up to our Southern Border from Honduras," Trump said. "Only a Wall, or Steel Barrier, will keep our Country safe! Stop playing political games and end the Shutdown!"

US-bound Honduran migrant caravan grows as Trump argues for wall

Coastguards on Tuesday recovered a dead body after a boat loaded with dozens of migrants sank off western <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/opinions/syrian-kurds-the-new-frontline-in-confronting-iran-and-turkey-190389&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiR_LmOz-_fAhUDtY8KHehuAmAQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw3PkOPnTQmmTNbLAm_t2suA">Turkey</a>, the authorities said in a statement.&nbsp;

The coastguard said it rescued 46 people after the vessel capsized off the Guzelcamli region in the Aegean province of Aydin.&nbsp;

The identity of the migrants was not immediately known.&nbsp;

Initial testimonies revealed there were no missing migrants, the Turkish coastguard said.

Turkey has been the main transition route for people trying to reach Europe, especially since the start of the Syrian conflict in 2011.&nbsp;

The number of migrants coming to Europe has declined since hitting a peak in 2015 when more than a million people landed in Greece from Turkey, mainly on boats.

Turkey and the European Union reached a deal in 2016 to stem the flow, with Ankara agreeing to take back migrants landing on Greek islands in exchange for incentives including financial aid.

Coastguards on Tuesday recovered a dead body after a boat loaded with dozens of migrants sank off western Turkey, the authorities said in a statement. The coastguard said it rescued 46 people after the vessel capsized off the Guzelcamli region in the Aegean province of Aydin.

Coastguards on Tuesday recovered a dead body after a boat loaded with dozens of migrants sank off western Turkey, the authorities said in a statement. The coastguard said it rescued 46 people after the vessel capsized off the Guzelcamli region in the Aegean province of Aydin. The identity of the migrants was not immediately known. Initial testimonies revealed there were no missing migrants, the Turkish coastguard said. Turkey has been the main transition route for people trying to reach Europe, especially since the start of the Syrian conflict in 2011. The number of migrants coming to Europe has declined since hitting a peak in 2015 when more than a million people landed in Greece from Turkey, mainly on boats. Turkey and the European Union reached a deal in 2016 to stem the flow, with Ankara agreeing to take back migrants landing on Greek islands in exchange for incentives including financial aid.

Migrant drowns as boat sinks off Turkey

The major events of the world captured through the lens.

In Pics: Mexico to China- Events that captured the world's imagination

Pope Francis urged European leaders on Sunday to stop bickering over the fate of 49 migrants stuck aboard two humanitarian rescue ships on the Mediterranean and let them land at a safe port of call.&nbsp;

With his comments in an address to 60,000 people in St. Peter`s Square for the feast of the Epiphany, Francis jumped into a diplomatic fracas between Italy and Malta and into an internal dispute among leaders of Italy`s populist government.&nbsp;

"I make a heartfelt appeal to European leaders to show concrete solidarity for these people," Francis said, raising his voice. They were only "seeking a safe port where they can disembark", he said.

Thirty-two people are aboard the Sea-Watch 3, a vessel run by a German humanitarian group, which plucked them from an unsafe boat off Libya on Dec. 22. They include three small children and four teenagers. Another ship run by the German group Sea-Eye is carrying 17 people rescued on Dec. 29.

Last week, nearly two dozen humanitarian groups, including Amnesty International and the United Nations` International Organization for Migration, called on the European Union to offer a safe port to both vessels.

Speaking at a political meeting shortly before the pope made his appeal, Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat defended his country`s refusal to take the vessels, saying it had no legal responsibility for the rescue.

He accused Malta`s critics of playing "the Christmas saint" while themselves rejecting the ships.

"We need to find a balance between the human aspect and national security. This is an issue that might set a precedent and we should be vigilant about it," he said.

Italy`s Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio, leader of the 5-Star Movement, shot back at Muscat, saying Italy had for years taken migrants who arrived via the Mediterranean. "Now, Malta has to do its part. That is our position," he said.

Di Maio has said Italy will take in women and children if Malta allows the ships to dock. But Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, who leads the anti-immigrant League party and has closed ports to rescue ships, opposes this.

Salvini has often criticised Francis, who has made defence of migrants a key feature of his pontificate.

Italy and Malta are predominantly Catholic nations but the Church`s influence in politics has waned significantly in recent years.

Pope Francis urged European leaders on Sunday to stop bickering over the fate of 49 migrants stuck aboard two humanitarian rescue ships on the Mediterranean and let them land at a safe port of call.

Pope Francis urged European leaders on Sunday to stop bickering over the fate of 49 migrants stuck aboard two humanitarian rescue ships on the Mediterranean and let them land at a safe port of call. With his comments in an address to 60,000 people in St. Peter`s Square for the feast of the Epiphany, Francis jumped into a diplomatic fracas between Italy and Malta and into an internal dispute among leaders of Italy`s populist government. "I make a heartfelt appeal to European leaders to show concrete solidarity for these people," Francis said, raising his voice. They were only "seeking a safe port where they can disembark", he said. Thirty-two people are aboard the Sea-Watch 3, a vessel run by a German humanitarian group, which plucked them from an unsafe boat off Libya on Dec. 22. They include three small children and four teenagers. Another ship run by the German group Sea-Eye is carrying 17 people rescued on Dec. 29. Last week, nearly two dozen humanitarian groups, including Amnesty International and the United Nations` International Organization for Migration, called on the European Union to offer a safe port to both vessels. Speaking at a political meeting shortly before the pope made his appeal, Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat defended his country`s refusal to take the vessels, saying it had no legal responsibility for the rescue. He accused Malta`s critics of playing "the Christmas saint" while themselves rejecting the ships. "We need to find a balance between the human aspect and national security. This is an issue that might set a precedent and we should be vigilant about it," he said. Italy`s Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio, leader of the 5-Star Movement, shot back at Muscat, saying Italy had for years taken migrants who arrived via the Mediterranean. "Now, Malta has to do its part. That is our position," he said. Di Maio has said Italy will take in women and children if Malta allows the ships to dock. But Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, who leads the anti-immigrant League party and has closed ports to rescue ships, opposes this. Salvini has often criticised Francis, who has made defence of migrants a key feature of his pontificate. Italy and Malta are predominantly Catholic nations but the Church`s influence in politics has waned significantly in recent years.

Pope enters migrant ships dispute with appeal for safe ports

Federal police took steps to close a migrant shelter in Mexico's city of Tijuana on Friday, sparking protests from some of the dozens of US-bound people who had been staying there after travelling in a caravan from Central America.

The arrival of several thousand migrants in recent months, many fleeing poverty and violence in Honduras, has challenged Mexico's new president to make good on pledges to protect migrants in Mexico, just as the United States makes it increasingly hard for them to cross the border.

Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who began his presidency last month, has yet to detail how he will improve what he has described as deplorable conditions for people trekking thousands of miles across Mexico to the US border.

Officials in mid-December said that, of the nearly 6,000 migrants who had arrived in Tijuana in recent caravans, about half were at a large shelter in a former concert venue and another several hundred had dispersed to other shelters in the city, such as the one being closed. About 1,000 had crossed into the United States, while another 1,000 returned to their home countries.

Tijuana officials cited sanitary reasons for closing the shelter, a two-story warehouse in a zone known for crime and prostitution near the border.

The industrial site was overcrowded, poorly lit and lacked proper facilities for food preparation, said Isain Venegas, a supervisor in Mexico's public health system. Common illnesses had been treated, he added.

Officials told migrants that they could move to the bigger shelter, run by the federal government, about 7 miles (11 km) from the border.

Many migrants protested, saying they did not expect other sites to be any better.

"Not one of the shelters in Tijuana has the conditions for them to keep us in ... the authorities are tricking us," said Honduran migrant Reinerio Laine.

By mid-afternoon, several dozen migrants had refused to leave and were joined by US activists, as federal and local police in riot gear took formation at the entrance.

Others packed belongings and set off on foot to nearby shelters, while several dozen waited for a bus that would bring them to the larger, government-run facility.

"We had hoped that now with President Lopez Obrador he could see the conditions we're in. They said he was going to help, but they've treated us worse than animals," said Maria Claros, 28, from Honduras.

"We don't have anywhere to wash or do our business. I bathe with cold water when I have 20 pesos to pay for it," she added.

For decades, Tijuana, a notoriously crime-ridden border city, has attracted migrants headed north. When Central Americans began arriving in large numbers in November, officials provided lodging at a sports centre, but closed it after rains flooded the venue.

Last month, two boys from Honduras were killed outside a shelter for migrant youths.

Federal police took steps to close a migrant shelter in Mexico's city of Tijuana on Friday, sparking protests from some of the dozens of US-bound people who had been staying there after travelling in a caravan from Central America.

Federal police took steps to close a migrant shelter in Mexico's city of Tijuana on Friday, sparking protests from some of the dozens of US-bound people who had been staying there after travelling in a caravan from Central America. The arrival of several thousand migrants in recent months, many fleeing poverty and violence in Honduras, has challenged Mexico's new president to make good on pledges to protect migrants in Mexico, just as the United States makes it increasingly hard for them to cross the border. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who began his presidency last month, has yet to detail how he will improve what he has described as deplorable conditions for people trekking thousands of miles across Mexico to the US border. Officials in mid-December said that, of the nearly 6,000 migrants who had arrived in Tijuana in recent caravans, about half were at a large shelter in a former concert venue and another several hundred had dispersed to other shelters in the city, such as the one being closed. About 1,000 had crossed into the United States, while another 1,000 returned to their home countries. Tijuana officials cited sanitary reasons for closing the shelter, a two-story warehouse in a zone known for crime and prostitution near the border. The industrial site was overcrowded, poorly lit and lacked proper facilities for food preparation, said Isain Venegas, a supervisor in Mexico's public health system. Common illnesses had been treated, he added. Officials told migrants that they could move to the bigger shelter, run by the federal government, about 7 miles (11 km) from the border. Many migrants protested, saying they did not expect other sites to be any better. "Not one of the shelters in Tijuana has the conditions for them to keep us in ... the authorities are tricking us," said Honduran migrant Reinerio Laine. By mid-afternoon, several dozen migrants had refused to leave and were joined by US activists, as federal and local police in riot gear took formation at the entrance. Others packed belongings and set off on foot to nearby shelters, while several dozen waited for a bus that would bring them to the larger, government-run facility. "We had hoped that now with President Lopez Obrador he could see the conditions we're in. They said he was going to help, but they've treated us worse than animals," said Maria Claros, 28, from Honduras. "We don't have anywhere to wash or do our business. I bathe with cold water when I have 20 pesos to pay for it," she added. For decades, Tijuana, a notoriously crime-ridden border city, has attracted migrants headed north. When Central Americans began arriving in large numbers in November, officials provided lodging at a sports centre, but closed it after rains flooded the venue. Last month, two boys from Honduras were killed outside a shelter for migrant youths.

Central American migrants protest closure of Tijuana shelter

US&nbsp;Customs and Border Protection agents did everything they could to get medical help for two children who subsequently died in their custody, the CBP chief Kevin McAleenan said on Sunday.

McAleenan told ABC's "This Week" it had been a decade since a child had died in the agency's custody and the loss of two Guatemalan children in three weeks has been "absolutely devastating."

Felipe Gomez Alonzo, 8, was the second Guatemalan child to die this month while being held by US authorities, sparking outrage from immigration advocates.

The boy's death followed the death in early December of 7-year-old Jakelin Caal, also from Guatemala. She died after being detained along with her father by US border agents in a remote part of New Mexico.

"Our agents did everything they could, as soon as these children manifested symptoms of illness, to save their lives," McAleenan said.

After the second death, the CBP said it will conduct secondary medical checks on all children in its custody, with a focus on those under 10.

Meanwhile, Trump earlier in the day blamed Democrats&nbsp;for the death of migrant children crossing into the US.

The US President personally took to Twitter saying, "Any deaths of children or others at the Border are strictly the fault of the Democrats and their pathetic immigration policies that allow people to make the long trek thinking they can enter our country illegally."

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Any deaths of children or others at the Border are strictly the fault of the Democrats and their pathetic immigration policies that allow people to make the long trek thinking they can enter our country illegally. They can’t. If we had a Wall, they wouldn’t even try! The two.....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1079082188665171971?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Trump has made hardline immigration policies a central plank of his presidency, drawing fire from critics who accuse him of demonizing migrants for political gain.

He is locked in a battle with Congress over funding for his planned border wall, which he claims will stem migration from Latin American countries plagued by gang violence and poverty.

(With inputs from news agencies)

Felipe Gomez Alonzo, 8, was the second Guatemalan child to die this month while being held by US authorities, sparking outrage from immigration advocates.

US Customs and Border Protection agents did everything they could to get medical help for two children who subsequently died in their custody, the CBP chief Kevin McAleenan said on Sunday. McAleenan told ABC's "This Week" it had been a decade since a child had died in the agency's custody and the loss of two Guatemalan children in three weeks has been "absolutely devastating." Felipe Gomez Alonzo, 8, was the second Guatemalan child to die this month while being held by US authorities, sparking outrage from immigration advocates. The boy's death followed the death in early December of 7-year-old Jakelin Caal, also from Guatemala. She died after being detained along with her father by US border agents in a remote part of New Mexico. "Our agents did everything they could, as soon as these children manifested symptoms of illness, to save their lives," McAleenan said. After the second death, the CBP said it will conduct secondary medical checks on all children in its custody, with a focus on those under 10. Meanwhile, Trump earlier in the day blamed Democrats for the death of migrant children crossing into the US. The US President personally took to Twitter saying, "Any deaths of children or others at the Border are strictly the fault of the Democrats and their pathetic immigration policies that allow people to make the long trek thinking they can enter our country illegally." Any deaths of children or others at the Border are strictly the fault of the Democrats and their pathetic immigration policies that allow people to make the long trek thinking they can enter our country illegally. They can’t. If we had a Wall, they wouldn’t even try! The two..... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 29, 2018 × Trump has made hardline immigration policies a central plank of his presidency, drawing fire from critics who accuse him of demonizing migrants for political gain. He is locked in a battle with Congress over funding for his planned border wall, which he claims will stem migration from Latin American countries plagued by gang violence and poverty. (With inputs from news agencies)

Agents did everything they could to save children: CBP chief on two kids who died in US detention centre

Outgoing White House chief John Kelly said he had "nothing but compassion" for undocumented migrants crossing into the US and undercut the idea of a border wall in an interview Sunday that jarred with President Donald Trump's tough rhetoric on immigration.

Speaking as a partial government shutdown went into a ninth day due to an impasse over Trump's demands for funding for a wall at the US-Mexico border, Kelly told the Los Angeles Times: "To be honest, it's not a wall."

"The president still says 'wall.' Oftentimes frankly he'll say 'barrier' or 'fencing,' now he's tended toward steel slats," Kelly said.

"But we left a solid concrete wall early on in the administration, when we asked people what they needed and where they needed it."

A former Marine general who led the military command responsible for Latin America, Kelly was Trump's Homeland Security secretary before becoming White House chief of staff in July last year.

But his relationship with the president reportedly deteriorated and he is due to be replaced at the end of the year by Mick Mulvaney, who currently serves as budget director.

Trump has been excoriated by opposition Democrats, who oppose his demand for $5 billion in border wall funding, after he blamed them for the deaths of two Guatemalan children in US custody in a tweet on Saturday.

"Illegal immigrants, overwhelmingly, are not bad people.... I have nothing but compassion for them, the young kids," Kelly told the LA Times adding that many had been manipulated by traffickers.

The remarks were a sharp contrast to the rhetoric of the president who regularly appeals to his overwhelmingly white political base by taking a hard line on immigration.&nbsp;

Building a wall along the 2,000-mile (3,200-kilometer) US-Mexico frontier was a central plank of his 2016 election campaign.

He has spoken of an "invasion" of migrants and complained of "many gang members and some very bad people" among a thousands-strong caravan of immigrants that traveled to the US in October.

He has also threatened to cut aid to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, despite migrants from those countries saying they are fleeing poverty and gang violence.

In comments that are likely to irritate his boss, Kelly said the way to halt illegal immigration was to "stop US demand for drugs, and expand economic opportunity" in Central America.

Speaking as a partial government shutdown went into a ninth day due to an impasse over Trump's demands for funding for a wall at the US-Mexico border, Kelly told the Los Angeles Times: 'To be honest, it's not a wall.'

Outgoing White House chief John Kelly said he had "nothing but compassion" for undocumented migrants crossing into the US and undercut the idea of a border wall in an interview Sunday that jarred with President Donald Trump's tough rhetoric on immigration. Speaking as a partial government shutdown went into a ninth day due to an impasse over Trump's demands for funding for a wall at the US-Mexico border, Kelly told the Los Angeles Times: "To be honest, it's not a wall." "The president still says 'wall.' Oftentimes frankly he'll say 'barrier' or 'fencing,' now he's tended toward steel slats," Kelly said. "But we left a solid concrete wall early on in the administration, when we asked people what they needed and where they needed it." A former Marine general who led the military command responsible for Latin America, Kelly was Trump's Homeland Security secretary before becoming White House chief of staff in July last year. But his relationship with the president reportedly deteriorated and he is due to be replaced at the end of the year by Mick Mulvaney, who currently serves as budget director. Trump has been excoriated by opposition Democrats, who oppose his demand for $5 billion in border wall funding, after he blamed them for the deaths of two Guatemalan children in US custody in a tweet on Saturday. "Illegal immigrants, overwhelmingly, are not bad people.... I have nothing but compassion for them, the young kids," Kelly told the LA Times adding that many had been manipulated by traffickers. The remarks were a sharp contrast to the rhetoric of the president who regularly appeals to his overwhelmingly white political base by taking a hard line on immigration. Building a wall along the 2,000-mile (3,200-kilometer) US-Mexico frontier was a central plank of his 2016 election campaign. He has spoken of an "invasion" of migrants and complained of "many gang members and some very bad people" among a thousands-strong caravan of immigrants that traveled to the US in October. He has also threatened to cut aid to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, despite migrants from those countries saying they are fleeing poverty and gang violence. In comments that are likely to irritate his boss, Kelly said the way to halt illegal immigration was to "stop US demand for drugs, and expand economic opportunity" in Central America.

Have nothing but compassion for migrants: Outgoing White House chief John Kelly

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-blames-democrats-for-deaths-of-children-at-the-border-187260">Trump blames Democrats for deaths of children at the border</a>

United States President Donald Trump on Saturday once again blamed the Democrats, who obstructed his plans of building a wall in the southern border with Mexico to stop illegal migration, for the death of migrant children crossing into the US.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/polls-open-in-bangladesh-general-election-187274">Polls open in Bangladesh general election amid tight security</a>

Voting for the general elections in Bangladesh, to elect the country's next prime minister, began&nbsp;at 8:00 am on Sunday.Over 10 crore Bangladeshis are expected to&nbsp;vote in the single-phase general election in the country's 11th national parliamentary election.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/police-teargas-yellow-vest-protesters-in-paris-187277">Police teargas 'yellow vest' protesters in Paris</a>

Police fired tear gas at "yellow vest" demonstrators in Paris on Saturday but the turnout for round seven of the popular protests that have rocked France appeared low.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/tokyos-prosecutors-set-to-decide-on-carlos-ghosns-detention-187268">Tokyo's prosecutors set to decide on Carlos Ghosn's detention</a>

Tokyo prosecutors are set to decide on the detention of former Nissan Motor Co Ltd Chairman Carlos Ghosn on Tuesday&nbsp;for financial misconduct. Ghosn was arrested for allegedly conspiring to understate his income by about half of the actual 10 billion yen ($88.66 million) over five years from 2010. His deputy, Greg Kelly, who was accused of assisting, was released from Tokyo Detention Centre on December 25.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/india-beat-australia-by-137-runs-to-win-melbourne-test-187279">India beat Australia by 137 runs to win Melbourne Test</a>

India defeated Australia by 137 runs to win the third Test of a four-match series at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday. With the win, India have taken an&nbsp;unassailable 2-1 lead in the series.&nbsp;

Trump blames Democrats for deaths of children at the border United States President Donald Trump on Saturday once again blamed the Democrats, who obstructed his plans of building a wall in the southern border with Mexico to stop illegal migration, for the death of migrant children crossing into the US.

Trump blames Democrats for deaths of children at the border United States President Donald Trump on Saturday once again blamed the Democrats, who obstructed his plans of building a wall in the southern border with Mexico to stop illegal migration, for the death of migrant children crossing into the US. Polls open in Bangladesh general election amid tight security Voting for the general elections in Bangladesh, to elect the country's next prime minister, began at 8:00 am on Sunday.Over 10 crore Bangladeshis are expected to vote in the single-phase general election in the country's 11th national parliamentary election. Police teargas 'yellow vest' protesters in Paris Police fired tear gas at "yellow vest" demonstrators in Paris on Saturday but the turnout for round seven of the popular protests that have rocked France appeared low. Tokyo's prosecutors set to decide on Carlos Ghosn's detention Tokyo prosecutors are set to decide on the detention of former Nissan Motor Co Ltd Chairman Carlos Ghosn on Tuesday for financial misconduct. Ghosn was arrested for allegedly conspiring to understate his income by about half of the actual 10 billion yen ($88.66 million) over five years from 2010. His deputy, Greg Kelly, who was accused of assisting, was released from Tokyo Detention Centre on December 25. India beat Australia by 137 runs to win Melbourne Test India defeated Australia by 137 runs to win the third Test of a four-match series at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday. With the win, India have taken an unassailable 2-1 lead in the series.

News brief: Big stories of the day

United States President Donald Trump on Saturday once again blamed the Democrats, who obstructed his plans of building a wall in the southern border with Mexico to stop illegal migration, for the death of migrant children crossing into the US.

The US President personally took to Twitter saying, "Any deaths of children or others at the Border are strictly the fault of the Democrats and their pathetic immigration policies that allow people to make the long trek thinking they can enter our country illegally. They can't. If we had a Wall, they wouldn't even try! The two children in question were very sick before they were given over to Border Patrol. The father of the young girl said it was not their fault, he hadn't given her water in days. Border Patrol needs the Wall and it will all end. They are working so hard &amp; getting so little credit!".

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Any deaths of children or others at the Border are strictly the fault of the Democrats and their pathetic immigration policies that allow people to make the long trek thinking they can enter our country illegally. They can’t. If we had a Wall, they wouldn’t even try! The two.....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1079082188665171971?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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...children in question were very sick before they were given over to Border Patrol. The father of the young girl said it was not their fault, he hadn’t given her water in days. Border Patrol needs the Wall and it will all end. They are working so hard &amp; getting so little credit!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1079083702943211520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Fox News reported that the US President cited the death of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/second-guatemalan-migrant-child-dies-in-us-custody-186481">two migrant children</a> from Guatemala, namely eight-year-old boy Felipe Gomez Alonzo and a seven-year-old girl <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/father-of-dead-guatemalan-migrant-calls-for-objective-investigation-into-death-184403">Jakelin Caal </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/father-of-dead-guatemalan-migrant-calls-for-objective-investigation-into-death-184403">Maquin</a>, who lost their lives earlier this month while being in the custody of the Border Police.

Both the children fell sick due to lack of proper food and medical facilities while crossing the border.

The US President further said on Twitter that the father of the Guatemalan boy had said that it was not the fault of the Border Police.

The US President Donald Trump had pushed for a border wall with Mexico despite a partial <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-refuses-to-sign-us-government-shutdown-legislation-over-mexico-wall-funding-185571">government shutdown in the country</a> which may continue till 2019.

The shutdown was triggered by a lack of consensus between lawmakers and the US President on the funding for the wall which was one of Trump's electoral promises.

Trump said, "For those that naively ask why didn't the Republicans get approval to build the Wall over the last year, it is because IN THE SENATE WE NEED 10 DEMOCRAT VOTES, and they will gives us "NONE" for Border Security! Now we have to do it the hard way, with a Shutdown. Too bad! @FoxNews".&nbsp;

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For those that naively ask why didn’t the Republicans get approval to build the Wall over the last year, it is because IN THE SENATE WE NEED 10 DEMOCRAT VOTES, and they will gives us “NONE” for Border Security! Now we have to do it the hard way, with a Shutdown. Too bad! <a href="https://twitter.com/FoxNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FoxNews</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1079096156708319232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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United States President Donald Trump on Saturday once again blamed the Democrats, who obstructed his plans of building a wall in the southern border with Mexico to stop illegal migration, for the death of migrant children crossing into the US.

United States President Donald Trump on Saturday once again blamed the Democrats, who obstructed his plans of building a wall in the southern border with Mexico to stop illegal migration, for the death of migrant children crossing into the US. The US President personally took to Twitter saying, "Any deaths of children or others at the Border are strictly the fault of the Democrats and their pathetic immigration policies that allow people to make the long trek thinking they can enter our country illegally. They can't. If we had a Wall, they wouldn't even try! The two children in question were very sick before they were given over to Border Patrol. The father of the young girl said it was not their fault, he hadn't given her water in days. Border Patrol needs the Wall and it will all end. They are working so hard & getting so little credit!". Any deaths of children or others at the Border are strictly the fault of the Democrats and their pathetic immigration policies that allow people to make the long trek thinking they can enter our country illegally. They can’t. If we had a Wall, they wouldn’t even try! The two..... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 29, 2018 × ...children in question were very sick before they were given over to Border Patrol. The father of the young girl said it was not their fault, he hadn’t given her water in days. Border Patrol needs the Wall and it will all end. They are working so hard & getting so little credit! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 29, 2018 × Fox News reported that the US President cited the death of two migrant children from Guatemala, namely eight-year-old boy Felipe Gomez Alonzo and a seven-year-old girl Jakelin Caal Maquin, who lost their lives earlier this month while being in the custody of the Border Police. Both the children fell sick due to lack of proper food and medical facilities while crossing the border. The US President further said on Twitter that the father of the Guatemalan boy had said that it was not the fault of the Border Police. The US President Donald Trump had pushed for a border wall with Mexico despite a partial government shutdown in the country which may continue till 2019. The shutdown was triggered by a lack of consensus between lawmakers and the US President on the funding for the wall which was one of Trump's electoral promises. Trump said, "For those that naively ask why didn't the Republicans get approval to build the Wall over the last year, it is because IN THE SENATE WE NEED 10 DEMOCRAT VOTES, and they will gives us "NONE" for Border Security! Now we have to do it the hard way, with a Shutdown. Too bad! @FoxNews". For those that naively ask why didn’t the Republicans get approval to build the Wall over the last year, it is because IN THE SENATE WE NEED 10 DEMOCRAT VOTES, and they will gives us “NONE” for Border Security! Now we have to do it the hard way, with a Shutdown. Too bad! @FoxNews — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 29, 2018 ×

Trump blames Democrats for deaths of children at the border

About 100 migrants from Central America are in limbo at American and Mexican border cities, awaiting their fate after applying for US&nbsp;asylum.

In El Paso, Texas, these migrant families spent their Christmas with local charity The Home Border Institute. The charity is working with these families on their rights and on the asylum process ahead, which could take some months.

On the Mexican side of the border in Ciudad Juarez, shelters are full, with migrants having to sleep on the floor in wintery conditions.

A local fire station is being used to temporarily house some migrant families.

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump has sought to make it harder to get asylum, claiming criminals are among the migrant group. But a federal court has placed a temporary restraining order on his policy which only allowed for asylum claims that were made at official ports of entry.

Under former President Barack Obama, a system dubbed "metering" began which limits how many applicants can ask for asylum each day in Tijuana. Lawyers say Trump is using the system more aggressively to stem the flow at the port of entry. 
&nbsp;

About 100 migrants from Central America are in limbo at American and Mexican border cities, awaiting their fate after applying for US asylum. In El Paso, Texas, these migrant families spent their Christmas with local charity The Home Border Institute.

About 100 migrants from Central America are in limbo at American and Mexican border cities, awaiting their fate after applying for US asylum. In El Paso, Texas, these migrant families spent their Christmas with local charity The Home Border Institute. The charity is working with these families on their rights and on the asylum process ahead, which could take some months. On the Mexican side of the border in Ciudad Juarez, shelters are full, with migrants having to sleep on the floor in wintery conditions. A local fire station is being used to temporarily house some migrant families. US President Donald Trump has sought to make it harder to get asylum, claiming criminals are among the migrant group. But a federal court has placed a temporary restraining order on his policy which only allowed for asylum claims that were made at official ports of entry. Under former President Barack Obama, a system dubbed "metering" began which limits how many applicants can ask for asylum each day in Tijuana. Lawyers say Trump is using the system more aggressively to stem the flow at the port of entry.

Migrants in limbo at US and Mexican border cities

The Italian interior minister on Tuesday again rejected authorizing the docking of a ship belonging to a German NGO with 33 migrants on board who were recently rescued in the central Mediterranean.

Matteo Salvini said that Italy has previously allowed 700,000 people to land, but now other countries, such as Germany, Spain, the Netherlands or France, should, in turn, contribute to this issue.

The non-profit, Sea-Watch, once again requested a port to dock and appealed for help from the German government, while weather conditions were worsening and the ship was still waiting for a country to take charge of the 33 rescued people, including 3 teenagers, 3 children and 4 women.

The rescued migrants come mostly from Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria and Libya, according to the NGO.

For the time being, the Sea-Watch 3 vessel remained in the rescue zone of Malta, which has yet to authorize the landing.

The Italian interior minister on Tuesday again rejected authorizing the docking of a ship belonging to a German NGO with 33 migrants on board who were recently rescued in the central Mediterranean.

The Italian interior minister on Tuesday again rejected authorizing the docking of a ship belonging to a German NGO with 33 migrants on board who were recently rescued in the central Mediterranean. Matteo Salvini said that Italy has previously allowed 700,000 people to land, but now other countries, such as Germany, Spain, the Netherlands or France, should, in turn, contribute to this issue. The non-profit, Sea-Watch, once again requested a port to dock and appealed for help from the German government, while weather conditions were worsening and the ship was still waiting for a country to take charge of the 33 rescued people, including 3 teenagers, 3 children and 4 women. The rescued migrants come mostly from Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria and Libya, according to the NGO. For the time being, the Sea-Watch 3 vessel remained in the rescue zone of Malta, which has yet to authorize the landing.

Italy refuses port to NGO vessel with 33 rescued migrants on board

A migrant group said Friday it had <a href="http://13.232.42.114/world/more-than-15000-migrants-repatriated-from-libya-iom-179072">rescued </a>nearly 300 migrants off the coast of Libya over the previous 24 hours.

"More than 300 people safe on board the #OpenArms," the Proactiva Open Arms organisation tweeted.

The organisation added that it had rescued people on board three vessels in difficulty in a single day.

The vessel started patrolling the Mediterranean with two other boats run by migrant aid groups off the Libyan coast in late November.

This area of the Mediterranean has been the most deadly for migrants attempting the crossing to Europe.

More than 1,300 migrants have perished trying to reach Italy or Malta since the beginning of the year, according to the International Organization for Migration.

Aid groups have been sending rescue vessels into these waters despite vocal opposition from Italy's far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini.

Accusing the groups of acting as a "taxi service" for migrants, he has denied them access to the country's ports. Malta too has been increasingly unwilling to host rescue vessels.

Another aid group meanwhile, Sea-Eye from Germany, announced Friday that one of its vessels was setting off from the southern Spanish port of Algeciras.

The 18-strong crew includes former volunteers who were on board the Aquarius, a rescue boat run by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and SOS Mediterranee.

The two groups said they had to halt activities earlier this month because of obstruction by some European countries.

A migrant group said Friday it had rescued nearly 300 migrants off the coast of Libya over the previous 24 hours. "More than 300 people safe on board the #OpenArms," the Proactiva Open Arms organisation tweeted.

A migrant group said Friday it had rescued nearly 300 migrants off the coast of Libya over the previous 24 hours. "More than 300 people safe on board the #OpenArms," the Proactiva Open Arms organisation tweeted. The organisation added that it had rescued people on board three vessels in difficulty in a single day. The vessel started patrolling the Mediterranean with two other boats run by migrant aid groups off the Libyan coast in late November. This area of the Mediterranean has been the most deadly for migrants attempting the crossing to Europe. More than 1,300 migrants have perished trying to reach Italy or Malta since the beginning of the year, according to the International Organization for Migration. Aid groups have been sending rescue vessels into these waters despite vocal opposition from Italy's far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini. Accusing the groups of acting as a "taxi service" for migrants, he has denied them access to the country's ports. Malta too has been increasingly unwilling to host rescue vessels. Another aid group meanwhile, Sea-Eye from Germany, announced Friday that one of its vessels was setting off from the southern Spanish port of Algeciras. The 18-strong crew includes former volunteers who were on board the Aquarius, a rescue boat run by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and SOS Mediterranee. The two groups said they had to halt activities earlier this month because of obstruction by some European countries.

Nearly 300 migrants rescued off Libya: Aid group

A case has been filed against Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath over his <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kamal-nath-pitches-for-70-jobs-to-madhya-pradesh-residents-says-up-and-bihar-people-take-away-locals-job-184943">remarks on UP-Bihar migrants</a> where he blamed the migrants for taking away the jobs of the local people.

The case has been filed by&nbsp;Tamanna Hashmi in Muzaffarpur court.

Hours after becoming the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kamal-nath-sworn-in-as-madhya-pradesh-chief-minister-184795">Kamal Nath</a>&nbsp;on Monday pitched for jobs for locals.

Speaking to reporters, he said, "people from other states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh come here and local people don't get jobs."

He further said, "Our schemes of providing incentives of investment will only be imposed after 70% people from Madhya Pradesh get employment."&nbsp;

Nath also added that&nbsp;he has signed a file for ensuring that jobs remain with the locals.

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-sp-slam-kamal-nath-for-saying-up-and-bihar-people-take-away-locals-job-185082">Bharatiya Janata Party</a> responded to his comments and called it "divisive".

BJP leader and Lok Sabha MP from Madhya Pradesh said, "He has also been a Union minister. He should be aware of these rules. What he is talking about is already in place... By making such a claim, he is misleading people".

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also reacted to Nath's statement stating that it is wrong for other states to question why people from North India take up jobs there.&nbsp;

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Bihar: Case filed in Muzaffarpur Court by one Tamanna Hashmi against Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath over his remark on UP-Bihar migrants (file pic) <a href="https://t.co/m7ai7vryxj">pic.twitter.com/m7ai7vryxj</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1075334821356994561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The Congress won 114 assembly seats and secured the support of seven more MLAs - SP (1) and BSP (2) and four independents - to cross the majority mark of 116 in the 230-member Assembly.

Nath, who did not contest the November 28 assembly elections, was sworn in as the 18th Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh on December 17.

Governor Anandiben Patel administered the oath of office to the 72-year-old Congress veteran who was at the forefront in steering the party to a win in the assembly polls.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

A case has been filed against Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath over his remarks on UP-Bihar migrants where he blamed the migrants for taking away the jobs of the local people.

A case has been filed against Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath over his remarks on UP-Bihar migrants where he blamed the migrants for taking away the jobs of the local people. The case has been filed by Tamanna Hashmi in Muzaffarpur court. Hours after becoming the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Kamal Nath on Monday pitched for jobs for locals. Speaking to reporters, he said, "people from other states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh come here and local people don't get jobs." He further said, "Our schemes of providing incentives of investment will only be imposed after 70% people from Madhya Pradesh get employment." Nath also added that he has signed a file for ensuring that jobs remain with the locals. The Bharatiya Janata Party responded to his comments and called it "divisive". BJP leader and Lok Sabha MP from Madhya Pradesh said, "He has also been a Union minister. He should be aware of these rules. What he is talking about is already in place... By making such a claim, he is misleading people". Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also reacted to Nath's statement stating that it is wrong for other states to question why people from North India take up jobs there. Bihar: Case filed in Muzaffarpur Court by one Tamanna Hashmi against Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath over his remark on UP-Bihar migrants (file pic) pic.twitter.com/m7ai7vryxj — ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2018 × The Congress won 114 assembly seats and secured the support of seven more MLAs - SP (1) and BSP (2) and four independents - to cross the majority mark of 116 in the 230-member Assembly. Nath, who did not contest the November 28 assembly elections, was sworn in as the 18th Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh on December 17. Governor Anandiben Patel administered the oath of office to the 72-year-old Congress veteran who was at the forefront in steering the party to a win in the assembly polls.

Bihar: Case registered against Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath over his remarks on migrants

Pope Francis on Tuesday condemned nationalist leaders who blame migrants for their countries' problems and themselves fostered mistrust in society by pursuing dishonest gain and xenophobic and racist policies.

The 82-year-old pope, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pope-vows-no-more-cover-ups-in-letter-to-all-catholics-on-sexual-abuse-160429">who has made a defence of migrants a plank of his papacy</a>, made the comments in his message for the Catholic Church's World Day of Peace on January 1. It is sent to heads of state and government and international organisations.

It comes at a time when immigration is one of the most contentious issues in countries such as the United States, Italy, Germany and Hungary. Francis has sparred with US President Donald Trump and Italian right-wing league leader Matteo Salvini over the rights of migrants.

"Political addresses that tend to blame every evil on migrants and to deprive the poor of hope are unacceptable," said the pope, who did not mention any countries or leaders.

He said today's times were "marked by a climate of mistrust rooted in the fear of others or of strangers, or anxiety about one's personal security."

Francis said it was sad that mistrust was "also seen at the political level, in attitudes of rejection or forms of nationalism that call into question the fraternity of which our globalised world has such great need."

Last week, the pope praised the United Nation’s first Global Compact on Migration, which sets objectives for how the management of migration can be improved. A number of nations, including the United States, Italy, Hungary, and Poland did not attend the meeting in Morocco.

Francis denounced a list of "vices" by politicians who he said undermined authentic democracy and brought disgrace to public life through various forms of corruption.

Among these, he included misappropriation of public resources, dishonest gain, xenophobia, racism, lack of concern for the environment, and plundering of natural resources.

He proposed eight "Beatitudes of the Politician" - first formulated by the late Vietnamese Cardinal Francois-Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan - as a guide for the behaviour of public office holders.

These, he said, would set goals for politicians who, among other qualities, should have a deep understanding of their role, personally exemplify credibility, work for the common good and accomplish radical change.

Pope Francis on Tuesday condemned nationalist leaders who blame migrants for their countries' problems and themselves fostered mistrust in society by pursuing dishonest gain and xenophobic and racist policies.

Pope Francis on Tuesday condemned nationalist leaders who blame migrants for their countries' problems and themselves fostered mistrust in society by pursuing dishonest gain and xenophobic and racist policies. The 82-year-old pope, who has made a defence of migrants a plank of his papacy, made the comments in his message for the Catholic Church's World Day of Peace on January 1. It is sent to heads of state and government and international organisations. It comes at a time when immigration is one of the most contentious issues in countries such as the United States, Italy, Germany and Hungary. Francis has sparred with US President Donald Trump and Italian right-wing league leader Matteo Salvini over the rights of migrants. "Political addresses that tend to blame every evil on migrants and to deprive the poor of hope are unacceptable," said the pope, who did not mention any countries or leaders. He said today's times were "marked by a climate of mistrust rooted in the fear of others or of strangers, or anxiety about one's personal security." Francis said it was sad that mistrust was "also seen at the political level, in attitudes of rejection or forms of nationalism that call into question the fraternity of which our globalised world has such great need." Last week, the pope praised the United Nation’s first Global Compact on Migration, which sets objectives for how the management of migration can be improved. A number of nations, including the United States, Italy, Hungary, and Poland did not attend the meeting in Morocco. Francis denounced a list of "vices" by politicians who he said undermined authentic democracy and brought disgrace to public life through various forms of corruption. Among these, he included misappropriation of public resources, dishonest gain, xenophobia, racism, lack of concern for the environment, and plundering of natural resources. He proposed eight "Beatitudes of the Politician" - first formulated by the late Vietnamese Cardinal Francois-Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan - as a guide for the behaviour of public office holders. These, he said, would set goals for politicians who, among other qualities, should have a deep understanding of their role, personally exemplify credibility, work for the common good and accomplish radical change.

Don't blame everything on migrants, Pope tells politicians

The father of the&nbsp;seven-year-old Guatemalan migrant who died after being detained by US border agents called for an objective investigation into the incident on Saturday.

"The family is seeking an objective and thorough investigation and are asking that investigators will assess this incidence within nationally-recognised standards for the arrest and custody of children," her father Nery Caal's lawyers said in a statement.

The attorneys representing the father also urged media not to speculate on the cause of death as neither the hospital nor the medical examiner has released an official statement.

On December 8 Jakelin Caal died of high fever in a hospital in El Paso, Texas.&nbsp;She died hours later while she was in the care of US Customs and Border Patrol.&nbsp;

As US authorities are&nbsp;investigating the matter, the exact cause of her death has not been determined so far.

Her lawyers also criticised border authorities for asking her father Nery Caal to sign a form written in English about the state of his daughter's health as "he speaks no English".

As per the lawyers' statement, her father speaks Q'eqchi', a Mayan language used in Guatemala, and Spanish is his second language.

"It is unacceptable for any government agency to have persons in custody sign documents in a language that they clearly do not understand," the statement said.

The lawyers also clarified reports saying that that Jakelin had "not eaten or had any water for several days" while crossing the desert before the border patrol took her into custody.

"Jakelin's father took care of Jakelin... made sure she was fed and had sufficient water," the statement said.&nbsp;

"She had not suffered from a lack of water or food prior to approaching the border."

Jakelin Caal accompanied by her father Nery were in a group of over 160 migrants who handed themselves into US border agents in New Mexico earlier this week.

Her death has s<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/death-of-seven-year-old-migrant-girl-in-us-custody-sparks-furor-184139">parked an outrage across the country</a> with leaders demanding a proper investigation into the matter. The case has also raised pressure on Trump and his administration's efforts to halt the migration of Central American families.

White House deputy spokesman Hogan Gidley called Caal's death "a horrific, tragic situation," but also said it was avoidable.

"It's a needless death and it's 100 per cent preventable," he told reporters.

"This could be my daughter or yours, let that sink in America," said newly elected Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, herself a refugee from Somalia.

Deforestation to make way for palm-oil plantations has made subsistence farming increasingly hard for the 40,000 inhabitants of Raxruha municipality in Guatemala, That has spurred an exodus of migrants.

Almost 80 percent of Guatemala's indigenous population are poor, with half of those living in extreme poverty. The mayor of San Antonio de Cortez described the Caal family as among the worst off in the village.

Record numbers of parents travelling with children are being apprehended trying to cross the US border with Mexico. In November, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers detained 25,172 members of "family units," the highest monthly number ever recorded, the agency said. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from news agencies)

The father of the seven-year-old Guatemalan migrant who died after being detained by US border agents called for an objective investigation into the incident on Saturday.

The father of the seven-year-old Guatemalan migrant who died after being detained by US border agents called for an objective investigation into the incident on Saturday. "The family is seeking an objective and thorough investigation and are asking that investigators will assess this incidence within nationally-recognised standards for the arrest and custody of children," her father Nery Caal's lawyers said in a statement. The attorneys representing the father also urged media not to speculate on the cause of death as neither the hospital nor the medical examiner has released an official statement. On December 8 Jakelin Caal died of high fever in a hospital in El Paso, Texas. She died hours later while she was in the care of US Customs and Border Patrol. As US authorities are investigating the matter, the exact cause of her death has not been determined so far. Her lawyers also criticised border authorities for asking her father Nery Caal to sign a form written in English about the state of his daughter's health as "he speaks no English". As per the lawyers' statement, her father speaks Q'eqchi', a Mayan language used in Guatemala, and Spanish is his second language. "It is unacceptable for any government agency to have persons in custody sign documents in a language that they clearly do not understand," the statement said. The lawyers also clarified reports saying that that Jakelin had "not eaten or had any water for several days" while crossing the desert before the border patrol took her into custody. "Jakelin's father took care of Jakelin... made sure she was fed and had sufficient water," the statement said. "She had not suffered from a lack of water or food prior to approaching the border." Jakelin Caal accompanied by her father Nery were in a group of over 160 migrants who handed themselves into US border agents in New Mexico earlier this week. Her death has sparked an outrage across the country with leaders demanding a proper investigation into the matter. The case has also raised pressure on Trump and his administration's efforts to halt the migration of Central American families. White House deputy spokesman Hogan Gidley called Caal's death "a horrific, tragic situation," but also said it was avoidable. "It's a needless death and it's 100 per cent preventable," he told reporters. "This could be my daughter or yours, let that sink in America," said newly elected Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, herself a refugee from Somalia. Deforestation to make way for palm-oil plantations has made subsistence farming increasingly hard for the 40,000 inhabitants of Raxruha municipality in Guatemala, That has spurred an exodus of migrants. Almost 80 percent of Guatemala's indigenous population are poor, with half of those living in extreme poverty. The mayor of San Antonio de Cortez described the Caal family as among the worst off in the village. Record numbers of parents travelling with children are being apprehended trying to cross the US border with Mexico. In November, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers detained 25,172 members of "family units," the highest monthly number ever recorded, the agency said. (With inputs from news agencies)

Father of dead Guatemalan migrant calls for objective investigation into death

A family with their young baby climbed over a border fence in Tijuana on Thursday (December 13), as many grow restless in shelters south of the border to get their asylum claims to US authorities.

But these migrants do not get far after they jump the fence. There are a series of fences along the international line patrolled by US border patrol officials, with these migrants detained by officers.

Reuters video showed a US border patrol officer tackling a migrant to the ground with other officers detaining the rest of his family.

This young family spoke to Reuters before jumping the fence, saying their decision to cross was an option between life and death.

Mexican officials have said as many as 1,000 individuals from the caravan of Central American migrants have hopped or otherwise skirted fences to reach the US since they arrived to the border city of Tijuana.

US President Donald Trump has sought to make it harder to get asylum, claiming criminals are amongst the migrant group. But a federal court last month placed a temporary restraining order on his policy that only permitted asylum claims made at official ports of entry.

Under former President Barack Obama a system dubbed "metering" began, which limits how many can ask for asylum each day in Tijuana. Lawyers say Trump is using the system more aggressively to stem the flow at the port of entry.

A family with their young baby climbed over a border fence in Tijuana on Thursday (December 13), as many grow restless in shelters south of the border to get their asylum claims to US authorities.

A family with their young baby climbed over a border fence in Tijuana on Thursday (December 13), as many grow restless in shelters south of the border to get their asylum claims to US authorities. But these migrants do not get far after they jump the fence. There are a series of fences along the international line patrolled by US border patrol officials, with these migrants detained by officers. Reuters video showed a US border patrol officer tackling a migrant to the ground with other officers detaining the rest of his family. This young family spoke to Reuters before jumping the fence, saying their decision to cross was an option between life and death. Mexican officials have said as many as 1,000 individuals from the caravan of Central American migrants have hopped or otherwise skirted fences to reach the US since they arrived to the border city of Tijuana. US President Donald Trump has sought to make it harder to get asylum, claiming criminals are amongst the migrant group. But a federal court last month placed a temporary restraining order on his policy that only permitted asylum claims made at official ports of entry. Under former President Barack Obama a system dubbed "metering" began, which limits how many can ask for asylum each day in Tijuana. Lawyers say Trump is using the system more aggressively to stem the flow at the port of entry.

Father, baby detained after climbing Tijuana border fence

By David Kipp and Melanie Muller

Issues of migration and forced displacement have dominated public debate in EU member states for the third consecutive year. The feeling of having lost control over immigration weighs heavily on them and has led to somewhat distorted perceptions of the issue of migration to Europe.

Against this backdrop, European policy has so far focused primarily on curbing irregular migration. This narrow focus prevents urgent migration and integration policy challenges from being addressed as well as the reform of the Common European Asylum System.&nbsp;

In order to deal straightforwardly with these challenges and develop strategies, four realities must be accepted.

First, the number of irregular arrivals in the European Union this year is expected to remain below 150,000, the same level as in the years before the so-called “refugee crisis.” Nevertheless, the EU continues to operate in crisis mode rather than addressing the issue of sustainable migration management.

Second, migration is a fact that can never be completely prevented. Migration policy arrangements with Turkey and Libya have contributed to a considerable reduction in the number of arrivals in Italy and Greece.&nbsp;

The example of Spain, however, shows that such arrangements are unlikely to be successful in the long term. Despite its longstanding cooperation with Morocco, Spain recorded double the arrivals this year compared to last.

A third fact is that a policy primarily aimed at containment has considerable side-effects. For example, the expansion of border controls promoted by the EU and the criminalisation of migration that was previously regarded as legal are shifting migration toward much more dangerous routes, such as in Niger.&nbsp;

Smuggler networks from other countries have assumed partial control of the transport.

In addition, the risk of drowning in the Mediterranean Sea during attempted crossings has increased. Out of every 1,000 attempts, four were fatal in 2014, increasing to 24 in 2018. The most dangerous is the central Mediterranean route, where the capacity for sea rescue has been reduced following pressure from the Italian government.

Thus far, the EU has outsourced its responsibility to the Libyan coastguard, which is picking up more and more migrants in the Mediterranean and bringing them back into the country. The number of people who have to remain in overcrowded detention centers under inhumane conditions has increased enormously as a result. The humanitarian plight of these people is therefore aggravated by EU policies.

Maritime rescue must be treated as a common European task and should be given appropriate significance in an expanded mandate for the European Border and Coast Guard, Frontex. However, the countries concerned on the European Union’s external border will only conceivably give their necessary consent if the member states agree on a common asylum procedure and a distribution mechanism for those entitled to protection.

Such an agreement is currently not in sight. Member states have agreed on actions outside the EU, such as the EU Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF), which was set up at a meeting of European and African leaders in Valletta in 2015 and has become the main instrument of EU external migration policy. The fund finances the development of border protection capacities in Libya and Niger, but also development policy projects. The latter are intended, for example, to compensate for the financial losses caused by the disappearance of the informal migration economy in Niger.

Powerful EU member states now demand that the fund should primarily concentrate on migration and border management and security cooperation with certain regions. This reduces funds for long-term development policy projects, for example, to support the local integration of refugees and internally displaced persons in the Horn of Africa so as to decrease the likelihood of further migration (known as secondary migration).

Migration mainly within Africa

The preoccupation with curbing migration is heightened by voices that fuel fears of an African “invasion” of Europe. This fear has no empirical basis.

The fourth fact that should be taken into account in the debate on EU migration policy is that the majority of migration movements take place within Africa. According to French demographer François Héran, this will continue to be the case. He reasons that the greatest population increases are to be expected in sub-Saharan Africa whose nationals emigrate relatively rarely compared to other regions. According to his prognosis, their share of the total population of OECD countries will increase from 0.4 per cent to only 2.4 per cent by 2050.

(David Kipp is a policy analyst and Melanie Müller is a research fellow)

(This article was originally published on Fair Observer. Read the <a href="https://www.fairobserver.com/region/europe/eu-migration-policy-european-union-europe-news-headlines-today-23009/">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

By David Kipp and Melanie Muller Issues of migration and forced displacement have dominated public debate in EU member states for the third consecutive year. The feeling of having lost control over immigration weighs heavily on them and has led to somewhat distorted perceptions of the issue of migration to Europe.

By David Kipp and Melanie Muller Issues of migration and forced displacement have dominated public debate in EU member states for the third consecutive year. The feeling of having lost control over immigration weighs heavily on them and has led to somewhat distorted perceptions of the issue of migration to Europe. Against this backdrop, European policy has so far focused primarily on curbing irregular migration. This narrow focus prevents urgent migration and integration policy challenges from being addressed as well as the reform of the Common European Asylum System. In order to deal straightforwardly with these challenges and develop strategies, four realities must be accepted. First, the number of irregular arrivals in the European Union this year is expected to remain below 150,000, the same level as in the years before the so-called “refugee crisis.” Nevertheless, the EU continues to operate in crisis mode rather than addressing the issue of sustainable migration management. Second, migration is a fact that can never be completely prevented. Migration policy arrangements with Turkey and Libya have contributed to a considerable reduction in the number of arrivals in Italy and Greece. The example of Spain, however, shows that such arrangements are unlikely to be successful in the long term. Despite its longstanding cooperation with Morocco, Spain recorded double the arrivals this year compared to last. A third fact is that a policy primarily aimed at containment has considerable side-effects. For example, the expansion of border controls promoted by the EU and the criminalisation of migration that was previously regarded as legal are shifting migration toward much more dangerous routes, such as in Niger. Smuggler networks from other countries have assumed partial control of the transport. In addition, the risk of drowning in the Mediterranean Sea during attempted crossings has increased. Out of every 1,000 attempts, four were fatal in 2014, increasing to 24 in 2018. The most dangerous is the central Mediterranean route, where the capacity for sea rescue has been reduced following pressure from the Italian government. Thus far, the EU has outsourced its responsibility to the Libyan coastguard, which is picking up more and more migrants in the Mediterranean and bringing them back into the country. The number of people who have to remain in overcrowded detention centers under inhumane conditions has increased enormously as a result. The humanitarian plight of these people is therefore aggravated by EU policies. Maritime rescue must be treated as a common European task and should be given appropriate significance in an expanded mandate for the European Border and Coast Guard, Frontex. However, the countries concerned on the European Union’s external border will only conceivably give their necessary consent if the member states agree on a common asylum procedure and a distribution mechanism for those entitled to protection. Such an agreement is currently not in sight. Member states have agreed on actions outside the EU, such as the EU Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF), which was set up at a meeting of European and African leaders in Valletta in 2015 and has become the main instrument of EU external migration policy. The fund finances the development of border protection capacities in Libya and Niger, but also development policy projects. The latter are intended, for example, to compensate for the financial losses caused by the disappearance of the informal migration economy in Niger. Powerful EU member states now demand that the fund should primarily concentrate on migration and border management and security cooperation with certain regions. This reduces funds for long-term development policy projects, for example, to support the local integration of refugees and internally displaced persons in the Horn of Africa so as to decrease the likelihood of further migration (known as secondary migration). Migration mainly within Africa The preoccupation with curbing migration is heightened by voices that fuel fears of an African “invasion” of Europe. This fear has no empirical basis. The fourth fact that should be taken into account in the debate on EU migration policy is that the majority of migration movements take place within Africa. According to French demographer François Héran, this will continue to be the case. He reasons that the greatest population increases are to be expected in sub-Saharan Africa whose nationals emigrate relatively rarely compared to other regions. According to his prognosis, their share of the total population of OECD countries will increase from 0.4 per cent to only 2.4 per cent by 2050. (David Kipp is a policy analyst and Melanie Müller is a research fellow) (This article was originally published on Fair Observer. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

EU Migration Policy bears no relation to reality

By Drew Mikhael

World leaders gathered in Marrakesh on December 10 to sign a historic agreement safeguarding the rights of migrants. Despite the withdrawal of some countries, the Global Compact on Migration was approved by 164 countries. It follows the Global Compact on Refugees, approved at the UN in mid-November by all countries, bar one – the United States.

Despite the current optimism around the potential good these new global compacts on refugees and migrants will have, the current political situation in Lebanon – home to 1.1m Syrian refugees – shows why there is still a long way to go. Infrastructure to accommodate the refugees in host countries such as Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan is still dire and requires emergency funds to ensure basic needs are met.

In Lebanon, Syrian refugees are viewed not only as an economic burden, but a political threat so severe that their presence threatens the country’s delicate power-sharing balance. Even in the aftermath of elections in May 2018 that brought a modicum of political stability in Lebanon – although still no agreement on cabinet positions – Syrian refugees are still scapegoated by Lebanese politicians. Increasingly xenophobic rhetoric has worsened.

Meanwhile, Lebanon has stepped up efforts to return Syrian refugees, committing significant resources to ensure the return of as many people as possible. But this is highly controversial. Many Syrians fear reprisals or arrest by the Assad regime, possible conscription into the army and a basic lack of infrastructure when they arrive.

Even with the prospects of new international agreements on refugees, no discernible positive impact can be expected for Lebanon’s Syrian refugees. Lebanon has not signed the 1951 Refugee Convention so that it isn’t legally required to protect the estimated 450,000 Palestinian refugees who also live in the country. The convention provides the legal parameters to ensure refugees are given the right to work, education, housing and non-discrimination.

Memory of the past

Part of the reason why Lebanon has ignored this international mandate for refugee rights is a reflection of the divided nature of Lebanese politics, which values stability between the Lebanese elite above all else. But the cost of that stability is currently being paid disproportionally by Syrian and Palestinians as they face marginalisation and exclusion.

Since the outbreak of the Syrian war in 2011, Syrians who sought refuge in Lebanon have faced systemic marginalisation through policies that limited their ability to gain residency and labour rights. For Lebanon’s political elite, the presence of Syrian refugees represents a dangerous reminder of the Palestinian refugees who played an important role in the Lebanese civil war of 1975-1990, and are now commonly, and wrongly, blamed for being one of the causes of the conflict.

Lebanese political power-sharing is based on a prescriptive sectarian parliamentary balance between Christians and Muslims. The focus on a demographic balance between Christians and Muslims within Lebanon’s institutions has a direct influence on political decision making: from ensuring representation in the cabinet to enshrining the rejection of the right for Palestinian refugees to settle in the constitution.

Because of this, the Christian political elite view Syrians and Palestinians not as vulnerable groups in need of basic assistance, but as a potential seismic demographic shift. The common theory explained to me on a recent research trip to Lebanon was that if either group were to be settled in Lebanon permanently, the balance of sects would shift to favour to Sunnis and result in their dominance over the political arena at the expense of Shia and Christians.

What’s old is new again

It was clear that for many of the Christian political elite I spoke to, the Syrian refugees were viewed as an existential threat that could undermine the delicate sectarian balance in the country and destroy the power-sharing agreement that guarantees representation for all Lebanese groups.

In the face of all this, Lebanon’s response to the presence of refugees has been uncharacteristically cohesive. It introduced a national strategy in 2014 entitled the “policy on Syrian displacement”, aimed primarily at ensuring that Syrians were limited in their ability to settle permanently in Lebanon.

Now, arguments that have been used to marginalise Palestinians are now repeated in reference to Syrians. In May 2018, former foreign minister Gebran Bassil proposed that Lebanese women would finally be allowed to pass on nationality to their children unless they were married to a Syrian or Palestinian. Previous arguments on why this right should be denied to Lebanese women were made in reference to children of Palestinians only.

The focus on maintaining sectarian equilibrium will always be an obstacle for international legal instruments designed to give refugees their rights in Lebanon. For the Syrian and Palestinian refugees living in the country, the power-sharing system will continue to entrap them as they face systemic exclusion, with politicians trying to make their living conditions as difficult as possible to ward off the potential settlement. If stability in Lebanon continues to be managed by sectarian head counting, any mechanisms to protect refugees will not be implementable and suffering will continue unabated. 
 
(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/syrian-refugees-remain-trapped-and-marginalised-by-lebanons-power-sharing-politics-108363">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

 
&nbsp;

By Drew Mikhael World leaders gathered in Marrakesh on December 10 to sign a historic agreement safeguarding the rights of migrants. Despite the withdrawal of some countries, the Global Compact on Migration was approved by 164 countries.

By Drew Mikhael World leaders gathered in Marrakesh on December 10 to sign a historic agreement safeguarding the rights of migrants. Despite the withdrawal of some countries, the Global Compact on Migration was approved by 164 countries. It follows the Global Compact on Refugees, approved at the UN in mid-November by all countries, bar one – the United States. Despite the current optimism around the potential good these new global compacts on refugees and migrants will have, the current political situation in Lebanon – home to 1.1m Syrian refugees – shows why there is still a long way to go. Infrastructure to accommodate the refugees in host countries such as Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan is still dire and requires emergency funds to ensure basic needs are met. In Lebanon, Syrian refugees are viewed not only as an economic burden, but a political threat so severe that their presence threatens the country’s delicate power-sharing balance. Even in the aftermath of elections in May 2018 that brought a modicum of political stability in Lebanon – although still no agreement on cabinet positions – Syrian refugees are still scapegoated by Lebanese politicians. Increasingly xenophobic rhetoric has worsened. Meanwhile, Lebanon has stepped up efforts to return Syrian refugees, committing significant resources to ensure the return of as many people as possible. But this is highly controversial. Many Syrians fear reprisals or arrest by the Assad regime, possible conscription into the army and a basic lack of infrastructure when they arrive. Even with the prospects of new international agreements on refugees, no discernible positive impact can be expected for Lebanon’s Syrian refugees. Lebanon has not signed the 1951 Refugee Convention so that it isn’t legally required to protect the estimated 450,000 Palestinian refugees who also live in the country. The convention provides the legal parameters to ensure refugees are given the right to work, education, housing and non-discrimination. Memory of the past Part of the reason why Lebanon has ignored this international mandate for refugee rights is a reflection of the divided nature of Lebanese politics, which values stability between the Lebanese elite above all else. But the cost of that stability is currently being paid disproportionally by Syrian and Palestinians as they face marginalisation and exclusion. Since the outbreak of the Syrian war in 2011, Syrians who sought refuge in Lebanon have faced systemic marginalisation through policies that limited their ability to gain residency and labour rights. For Lebanon’s political elite, the presence of Syrian refugees represents a dangerous reminder of the Palestinian refugees who played an important role in the Lebanese civil war of 1975-1990, and are now commonly, and wrongly, blamed for being one of the causes of the conflict. Lebanese political power-sharing is based on a prescriptive sectarian parliamentary balance between Christians and Muslims. The focus on a demographic balance between Christians and Muslims within Lebanon’s institutions has a direct influence on political decision making: from ensuring representation in the cabinet to enshrining the rejection of the right for Palestinian refugees to settle in the constitution. Because of this, the Christian political elite view Syrians and Palestinians not as vulnerable groups in need of basic assistance, but as a potential seismic demographic shift. The common theory explained to me on a recent research trip to Lebanon was that if either group were to be settled in Lebanon permanently, the balance of sects would shift to favour to Sunnis and result in their dominance over the political arena at the expense of Shia and Christians. What’s old is new again It was clear that for many of the Christian political elite I spoke to, the Syrian refugees were viewed as an existential threat that could undermine the delicate sectarian balance in the country and destroy the power-sharing agreement that guarantees representation for all Lebanese groups. In the face of all this, Lebanon’s response to the presence of refugees has been uncharacteristically cohesive. It introduced a national strategy in 2014 entitled the “policy on Syrian displacement”, aimed primarily at ensuring that Syrians were limited in their ability to settle permanently in Lebanon. Now, arguments that have been used to marginalise Palestinians are now repeated in reference to Syrians. In May 2018, former foreign minister Gebran Bassil proposed that Lebanese women would finally be allowed to pass on nationality to their children unless they were married to a Syrian or Palestinian. Previous arguments on why this right should be denied to Lebanese women were made in reference to children of Palestinians only. The focus on maintaining sectarian equilibrium will always be an obstacle for international legal instruments designed to give refugees their rights in Lebanon. For the Syrian and Palestinian refugees living in the country, the power-sharing system will continue to entrap them as they face systemic exclusion, with politicians trying to make their living conditions as difficult as possible to ward off the potential settlement. If stability in Lebanon continues to be managed by sectarian head counting, any mechanisms to protect refugees will not be implementable and suffering will continue unabated. (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Syrian refugees remain trapped and marginalised by Lebanon’s power-sharing politics

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/assembly-election-results-2018-live-stakes-high-ahead-of-2019-general-elections-183025">Assembly Election Results 2018 Live: Congress leading in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh; MNF in Mizoram, TRS ahead in Telangana</a>

The vote count is in full swing, numbers are changing every minute. Here's what the latest trends for Assembly Elections 2018 Results look like:

Madhya Pradesh: &nbsp;BJP 45, Congress 42 
Rajasthan: BJP 43, Congress 71 
Chhattisgarh: BJP 21, Congress 25 
Telangana: TRS 30, Congress + 25, BJP 3, Others 5 
Mizoram: Congress 1, MNF 1

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-sanctions-top-kim-jong-un-aides-over-north-korea-rights-183017">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-sanctions-top-kim-jong-un-aides-over-north-korea-rights-183017"> sanctions top Kim aides over North Korea human rights record</a>

The United States on Monday imposed sanctions on three North Korean officials as it called the regime's human rights record among the world's worst, in an abrupt shift from President Donald Trump's efforts to woo the regime.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/macron-hikes-minimum-wage-to-appease-yellow-vest-protesters-183016">Macron hikes minimum wage after 'yellow vest' protests in France</a>

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Monday a 100-euro ($113) per month increase in the minimum wage from next year in a major concession to "yellow vest" protesters who have roiled the country.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-briefly-shuts-dozens-of-online-news-sites-citing-security-concerns-183041">Bangladesh briefly shuts dozens of online news sites, citing security concerns</a>

Bangladesh's telecoms regulator shut down dozens of online news portals for several hours on Monday, citing security reasons, as officials scrutinise hundreds of sites before a parliamentary election this month.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-has-arrested-170-immigrants-who-tried-to-claim-migrant-children-183037">US arrests 170 immigrants who tried to claim migrant children</a>

US immigration authorities arrested 170 people between early July and late November who came forward to claim migrant children in government custody, according to official data released on Monday, crackdown advocates say is discouraging relatives from volunteering to take in some of the 14,000 detained children.

Assembly Election Results 2018 Live: Congress leading in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh; MNF in Mizoram, TRS ahead in Telangana The vote count is in full swing, numbers are changing every minute.

Assembly Election Results 2018 Live: Congress leading in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh; MNF in Mizoram, TRS ahead in Telangana The vote count is in full swing, numbers are changing every minute. Here's what the latest trends for Assembly Elections 2018 Results look like: Madhya Pradesh: BJP 45, Congress 42 Rajasthan: BJP 43, Congress 71 Chhattisgarh: BJP 21, Congress 25 Telangana: TRS 30, Congress + 25, BJP 3, Others 5 Mizoram: Congress 1, MNF 1 US sanctions top Kim aides over North Korea human rights record The United States on Monday imposed sanctions on three North Korean officials as it called the regime's human rights record among the world's worst, in an abrupt shift from President Donald Trump's efforts to woo the regime. Macron hikes minimum wage after 'yellow vest' protests in France French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Monday a 100-euro ($113) per month increase in the minimum wage from next year in a major concession to "yellow vest" protesters who have roiled the country. Bangladesh briefly shuts dozens of online news sites, citing security concerns Bangladesh's telecoms regulator shut down dozens of online news portals for several hours on Monday, citing security reasons, as officials scrutinise hundreds of sites before a parliamentary election this month. US arrests 170 immigrants who tried to claim migrant children US immigration authorities arrested 170 people between early July and late November who came forward to claim migrant children in government custody, according to official data released on Monday, crackdown advocates say is discouraging relatives from volunteering to take in some of the 14,000 detained children.

The infamous migrant “caravan” comprised approximately 5,000 to 6,000 people from Central America when it finally concluded its slow six-week crawl to Tijuana, the Mexican border city just south of California.

At one point the caravan swelled to 7,000 people, but many of them succumbed to exhaustion, sleep and sickness along the way and chose to stay behind in Mexican towns; others turned back to their country of origin.

The hardest hit by these events are undoubtedly the children, unaware of the magnitude of their journey and unable to keep up with its physical requirements.

The photographs taken by journalists following the caravan have highlighted the plight of child migrants and their parents. The impact of the journey on migrant parent-child relationships has been less discussed.

As a clinical psychologist, my practice and research has demonstrated that refugee parents, such as these migrants, often exhibit symptoms of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that have profound effects on parenting.

Their emotionally distraught state can sometimes lead to overprotectiveness, harshness in parenting and even reversal of parent-child roles. Children in these circumstances are more likely to suffer from mental health problems.

Infections, dehydration, tear gas

The caravan formed in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, on October 13, nearly seven weeks ago. The 500 migrants who have been in the caravan from the beginning have marched a total of 4,000 blistering km on their way to Tijuana.

Along the way, migrants have suffered from fevers, eye infections, lice infestations, respiratory infections and dehydration.

As the city of Tijuana tries to accommodate thousands of migrants in temporary shelters, the crowded and unhygienic conditions only escalate health concerns. Children are more susceptible to diseases and tire out quicker, making this journey especially arduous for them.

This adds to the list of concerns their parents already have. The batons and tear gas that these migrants have faced at the United States border further adds to the stress of relocation.

Financial strife and marital discord

The biggest push factors for these asylum seekers are the corruption and poverty rampant in their countries. According to the World Bank, two-thirds of the population of Honduras lived in poverty in 2016. According to the CIA World Factbook, over 30 per cent of the population lived under the poverty line in El Salvador at the same time.

The signs of the migrants’ financial strife are evident. Migrant families have relied heavily on the generosity of strangers for food, shelter and transportation in the towns they have passed through. There is also the fact that people simply do not walk 4,000 km if they can travel the same distance in any other vehicle. In some cases, families have resorted to begging along the way for passage.

Financial stress tends to increase the likelihood of marital discord, which leads to criticism and anger between spouses.

Over time the strain on a marital relationship often spills over onto the parent-child relationship — leading to a marked reduction in nurturance, responsiveness to needs and consistency in parenting.

This can contribute to socio-emotional problems in children — such as low self-esteem, depression, drug use and other health problems.

Gang violence and dissociation

Due to widespread gang violence, El Salvador has the highest homicide rate in the world, followed in second place by Honduras, with Guatemala not too far behind.

Migrant families have reported fleeing their hometowns due to threats against their lives, or the lives of family members, if they did not join the local gang. Often, gangs also extort cuts of people’s already meagre livelihoods and threaten others with physical and sexual assault.

Research indicates that repetitive community violence exposure causes parents to feel hopeless, powerless and emotionally drained, leading to symptoms of depression, anxiety and PTSD.

Other fallouts include dissociation (feeling cut off from reality) and lower understanding of and tolerance towards their child’s psychological distress.

As a result, children are more likely to develop emotional difficulties, learn disengagement and form similar unhelpful coping mechanisms.

Need for social and emotional support 
 
Today in Tijuana, some asylum-seeking families await to be processed by authorities while others begin to settle into life in Mexico. Their parent-child relationships will be further tested and strained under the pressure of acculturation and other post-migration stressors.

This underlines the need for social and emotional support at the end of this journey, as well as efforts to help them rehabilitate into safer areas.

Childhood is already a delicate time for growth and development, even when good enough parenting and a stable, nurturing environment is available. A gruelling move to a strange and potentially hostile country obviously feels necessary for these migrant families — or they wouldn’t be on the move.

Given the life they are fleeing, an uncertain future in an idealised country eclipses certain desolation and death in their homelands. 
 
(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-challenge-of-parenting-in-a-migrant-caravan-107875">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

&nbsp;

The infamous migrant “caravan” comprised approximately 5,000 to 6,000 people from Central America when it finally concluded its slow six-week crawl to Tijuana, the Mexican border city just south of California.

The infamous migrant “caravan” comprised approximately 5,000 to 6,000 people from Central America when it finally concluded its slow six-week crawl to Tijuana, the Mexican border city just south of California. At one point the caravan swelled to 7,000 people, but many of them succumbed to exhaustion, sleep and sickness along the way and chose to stay behind in Mexican towns; others turned back to their country of origin. The hardest hit by these events are undoubtedly the children, unaware of the magnitude of their journey and unable to keep up with its physical requirements. The photographs taken by journalists following the caravan have highlighted the plight of child migrants and their parents. The impact of the journey on migrant parent-child relationships has been less discussed. As a clinical psychologist, my practice and research has demonstrated that refugee parents, such as these migrants, often exhibit symptoms of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that have profound effects on parenting. Their emotionally distraught state can sometimes lead to overprotectiveness, harshness in parenting and even reversal of parent-child roles. Children in these circumstances are more likely to suffer from mental health problems. Infections, dehydration, tear gas The caravan formed in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, on October 13, nearly seven weeks ago. The 500 migrants who have been in the caravan from the beginning have marched a total of 4,000 blistering km on their way to Tijuana. Along the way, migrants have suffered from fevers, eye infections, lice infestations, respiratory infections and dehydration. As the city of Tijuana tries to accommodate thousands of migrants in temporary shelters, the crowded and unhygienic conditions only escalate health concerns. Children are more susceptible to diseases and tire out quicker, making this journey especially arduous for them. This adds to the list of concerns their parents already have. The batons and tear gas that these migrants have faced at the United States border further adds to the stress of relocation. Financial strife and marital discord The biggest push factors for these asylum seekers are the corruption and poverty rampant in their countries. According to the World Bank, two-thirds of the population of Honduras lived in poverty in 2016. According to the CIA World Factbook, over 30 per cent of the population lived under the poverty line in El Salvador at the same time. The signs of the migrants’ financial strife are evident. Migrant families have relied heavily on the generosity of strangers for food, shelter and transportation in the towns they have passed through. There is also the fact that people simply do not walk 4,000 km if they can travel the same distance in any other vehicle. In some cases, families have resorted to begging along the way for passage. Financial stress tends to increase the likelihood of marital discord, which leads to criticism and anger between spouses. Over time the strain on a marital relationship often spills over onto the parent-child relationship — leading to a marked reduction in nurturance, responsiveness to needs and consistency in parenting. This can contribute to socio-emotional problems in children — such as low self-esteem, depression, drug use and other health problems. Gang violence and dissociation Due to widespread gang violence, El Salvador has the highest homicide rate in the world, followed in second place by Honduras, with Guatemala not too far behind. Migrant families have reported fleeing their hometowns due to threats against their lives, or the lives of family members, if they did not join the local gang. Often, gangs also extort cuts of people’s already meagre livelihoods and threaten others with physical and sexual assault. Research indicates that repetitive community violence exposure causes parents to feel hopeless, powerless and emotionally drained, leading to symptoms of depression, anxiety and PTSD. Other fallouts include dissociation (feeling cut off from reality) and lower understanding of and tolerance towards their child’s psychological distress. As a result, children are more likely to develop emotional difficulties, learn disengagement and form similar unhelpful coping mechanisms. Need for social and emotional support Today in Tijuana, some asylum-seeking families await to be processed by authorities while others begin to settle into life in Mexico. Their parent-child relationships will be further tested and strained under the pressure of acculturation and other post-migration stressors. This underlines the need for social and emotional support at the end of this journey, as well as efforts to help them rehabilitate into safer areas. Childhood is already a delicate time for growth and development, even when good enough parenting and a stable, nurturing environment is available. A gruelling move to a strange and potentially hostile country obviously feels necessary for these migrant families — or they wouldn’t be on the move. Given the life they are fleeing, an uncertain future in an idealised country eclipses certain desolation and death in their homelands. (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The challenge of parenting in a migrant caravan

A dozen Central American migrants were seen jumping over the border fence in Tijuana on Monday as the Border Patrol looked on from a distance.

The migrants crossed illegally into the US as sirens were heard and a helicopter circled overhead.

It is unclear what happened to the migrants once they crossed.

At least 6,000 migrants have descended upon the Mexican border city of Tijuana, just south of San Diego on the US side.

Most joined the caravan to find better job prospects in the United States.

A dozen Central American migrants were seen jumping over the border fence in Tijuana on Monday as the Border Patrol looked on from a distance. The migrants crossed illegally into the US as sirens were heard and a helicopter circled overhead.

A dozen Central American migrants were seen jumping over the border fence in Tijuana on Monday as the Border Patrol looked on from a distance. The migrants crossed illegally into the US as sirens were heard and a helicopter circled overhead. It is unclear what happened to the migrants once they crossed. At least 6,000 migrants have descended upon the Mexican border city of Tijuana, just south of San Diego on the US side. Most joined the caravan to find better job prospects in the United States.

Watch: Migrants jump US-Mexico border fence at night

By Lloy Wylie

From the migrant caravan that has travelled across Central America, to the ongoing exodus from Syria, the plight of refugees has become a global crisis.

There are currently more refugees and asylum seekers fleeing conflict and violence around the world than ever before. The media lays out the trauma of this forced migration on our screens: Children who have witnessed parents assaulted or murdered; families forced to leave everything behind as they risk their lives on over-crowded, unseaworthy boats between Africa and Europe.

Most of these refugees end up stuck in camps for years, lacking basic necessities. Women and children face sexual or physical violence and human trafficking. The lucky ones make it to Canada — with a renewed sense of hope for a safer, better life.

When refugees arrive in Canada, they meet a health-care system that is often ill-equipped to address their complex social and psychological needs.

Our research team at Western University, which included clinical project staff Rita Van Meyel and Heather Harder, assessed the preparedness of mental health care services in London, Ont., to meet the needs of immigrants and refugees, including those experiencing trauma. We explored staff experiences as well as resources, supports and training for working across cultures and languages. We probed for relationships between the hospital and community agencies for examples of shared care.

Our findings, published in Public Health Reviews, are not reassuring. Health-care providers felt poorly prepared and supported to provide transcultural trauma-informed care.

Complex health challenges

The events forcing people to flee, and their difficult journeys across dangerous terrain and hostile borders, can have a devastating effect on mental health, according to our respondents working with refugees in mental health.

The struggle to adjust and to establish a life in a new country can also be distressing, if not traumatizing. Many refugees face downward social mobility as their professional credentials and experience are not recognized. Intergenerational and gender conflicts emerge, as families are assailed with pressures to assimilate. Deep-seated trauma is often buried under burdens with more immediacy.

Refugees need comprehensive social and psychological supports to overcome trauma and begin a healing path. But the fragmentation of mental health services leaves patients experiencing little to no coordination of care.

Refugees experiencing trauma who present with multiple complex health challenges often end up retelling their trauma story to several different care providers. In one of our focus group sessions, social workers noted that the poor coordination and information sharing between care providers often meant that multiple people would each ask the same refugee patient to explain their trauma.

Universal problems of overcrowded spaces and long waitlists, hallmarks of “hallway medicine,” have repercussions throughout the health-care system.

Many staff in mental health that we interviewed felt overworked, that they could never catch up with the demands of their complex caseloads. Our study participants noted that they often do not have enough time to develop the trust needed for a therapeutic relationship with their clients, particularly in the initial assessments of clients experiencing trauma.

Trauma experiences are collective

Patient-centred care requires that patients can share their experience and expectations. Allowing them to tell their story and share their goals takes time. When care providers facilitate these personal narratives, it helps to identify what the real challenges are and to develop tailored solutions.

A psychiatrist with training and expertise in transcultural mental health emphasized in a research interview that the identification of trauma and mental health itself is a culturally-biased process. How we express or understand mental health concerns varies across cultures and individuals.

A patient may take comfort in hearing the voice of their ancestor or muse, while the care provider calls it psychosis, and the family thinks they’re cursed. Building shared understandings take time.

Our health-care system is oriented to providing services for individuals. Many refugee families share a collective trauma experience. Their healing journey must also be a shared process. Care providers must consider the impact of trauma on the whole family. At the same time, they must analyse how each family member is coping through one-on-one time with a therapist.

Building interdisciplinary partnerships

Our research suggests that the current bottlenecks in the system could be resolved with effective task shifting and interdisciplinary models of team-based care. A social worker shared with us that when they collect and share the family narratives with the mental health team, psychiatrists can focus on treatment and recovery.

Staff told us they need time for training and access to resources around trauma-informed care. Care providers want skills for working in transcultural contexts, where services can integrate multiple cultural perspectives.

Although the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM5) now provides a guide for transcultural mental health assessments, care providers want a flexible approach and need sufficient time, allowing them to judge when patients are ready to share their stories.

Such a skill set would in fact be valuable for working with anyone needing mental health support. And let’s face it, most visits to the hospital are due to a scare that leaves all of us feeling vulnerable.

Building trauma-informed skills and supportive community partnerships will result in better mental health services for everyone — based on the compassion and caring that we all crave in our time of need.

(Lloy Wylie is Assistant Professor, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-to-develop-the-mental-health-care-that-refugees-really-need-106144">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

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By Lloy Wylie From the migrant caravan that has travelled across Central America, to the ongoing exodus from Syria, the plight of refugees has become a global crisis.

By Lloy Wylie From the migrant caravan that has travelled across Central America, to the ongoing exodus from Syria, the plight of refugees has become a global crisis. There are currently more refugees and asylum seekers fleeing conflict and violence around the world than ever before. The media lays out the trauma of this forced migration on our screens: Children who have witnessed parents assaulted or murdered; families forced to leave everything behind as they risk their lives on over-crowded, unseaworthy boats between Africa and Europe. Most of these refugees end up stuck in camps for years, lacking basic necessities. Women and children face sexual or physical violence and human trafficking. The lucky ones make it to Canada — with a renewed sense of hope for a safer, better life. When refugees arrive in Canada, they meet a health-care system that is often ill-equipped to address their complex social and psychological needs. Our research team at Western University, which included clinical project staff Rita Van Meyel and Heather Harder, assessed the preparedness of mental health care services in London, Ont., to meet the needs of immigrants and refugees, including those experiencing trauma. We explored staff experiences as well as resources, supports and training for working across cultures and languages. We probed for relationships between the hospital and community agencies for examples of shared care. Our findings, published in Public Health Reviews, are not reassuring. Health-care providers felt poorly prepared and supported to provide transcultural trauma-informed care. Complex health challenges The events forcing people to flee, and their difficult journeys across dangerous terrain and hostile borders, can have a devastating effect on mental health, according to our respondents working with refugees in mental health. The struggle to adjust and to establish a life in a new country can also be distressing, if not traumatizing. Many refugees face downward social mobility as their professional credentials and experience are not recognized. Intergenerational and gender conflicts emerge, as families are assailed with pressures to assimilate. Deep-seated trauma is often buried under burdens with more immediacy. Refugees need comprehensive social and psychological supports to overcome trauma and begin a healing path. But the fragmentation of mental health services leaves patients experiencing little to no coordination of care. Refugees experiencing trauma who present with multiple complex health challenges often end up retelling their trauma story to several different care providers. In one of our focus group sessions, social workers noted that the poor coordination and information sharing between care providers often meant that multiple people would each ask the same refugee patient to explain their trauma. Universal problems of overcrowded spaces and long waitlists, hallmarks of “hallway medicine,” have repercussions throughout the health-care system. Many staff in mental health that we interviewed felt overworked, that they could never catch up with the demands of their complex caseloads. Our study participants noted that they often do not have enough time to develop the trust needed for a therapeutic relationship with their clients, particularly in the initial assessments of clients experiencing trauma. Trauma experiences are collective Patient-centred care requires that patients can share their experience and expectations. Allowing them to tell their story and share their goals takes time. When care providers facilitate these personal narratives, it helps to identify what the real challenges are and to develop tailored solutions. A psychiatrist with training and expertise in transcultural mental health emphasized in a research interview that the identification of trauma and mental health itself is a culturally-biased process. How we express or understand mental health concerns varies across cultures and individuals. A patient may take comfort in hearing the voice of their ancestor or muse, while the care provider calls it psychosis, and the family thinks they’re cursed. Building shared understandings take time. Our health-care system is oriented to providing services for individuals. Many refugee families share a collective trauma experience. Their healing journey must also be a shared process. Care providers must consider the impact of trauma on the whole family. At the same time, they must analyse how each family member is coping through one-on-one time with a therapist. Building interdisciplinary partnerships Our research suggests that the current bottlenecks in the system could be resolved with effective task shifting and interdisciplinary models of team-based care. A social worker shared with us that when they collect and share the family narratives with the mental health team, psychiatrists can focus on treatment and recovery. Staff told us they need time for training and access to resources around trauma-informed care. Care providers want skills for working in transcultural contexts, where services can integrate multiple cultural perspectives. Although the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM5) now provides a guide for transcultural mental health assessments, care providers want a flexible approach and need sufficient time, allowing them to judge when patients are ready to share their stories. Such a skill set would in fact be valuable for working with anyone needing mental health support. And let’s face it, most visits to the hospital are due to a scare that leaves all of us feeling vulnerable. Building trauma-informed skills and supportive community partnerships will result in better mental health services for everyone — based on the compassion and caring that we all crave in our time of need. (Lloy Wylie is Assistant Professor, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

How to develop the mental health care that refugees really need

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