IMMIGRATION NEWS

Florida's state-operated immigration detention centre in the Everglades has commenced deportation operations, igniting a firestorm of legal, environmental, and ethical debate.  Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed on Friday the first deportation flights had departed from the facility, known as "…

The US immigration system is facing escalating strain, characterised by substantial backlogs and protracted processing times, according to the latest data released by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).  The figures, covering the second quarter of fiscal year 2025 (January–March…

The United States Embassy in Nairobi has initiated a new policy requiring all visa applicants to disclose their social media usernames from the past five years, effective Friday, 25 July. This directive, applying to all DS-160 visa application forms, encompasses prospective international students…

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is reminding lawful permanent residents, or green card holders, of their obligation to carry proof of immigration status at all times.  The renewed advisory, issued on Wednesday, underscores a focus on compliance, reflecting the current administration's…

A US federal appeals court has upheld a previous ruling, dismissing former President Donald Trump’s executive order which sought to limit birthright citizenship.  The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals determined the order, signed immediately after Mr Trump's inauguration, contravenes the US…

A Congolese student's second F-1 student visa denial has ignited concerns over interview practices at the US Embassy in Kinshasa, potentially jeopardising his autumn semester start at the University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston) on 2 September. The student, admitted to UMass Boston's…

In a move to enforce immigration laws, the UK government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, is launching a crackdown on asylum seekers working illegally as food delivery riders.  The initiative, announced on 23 July, forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen the integrity of the UK’s…

A coalition of human rights organisations has released a damning report this week, alleging widespread abuse and degrading conditions within three federal immigration detention centres in South Florida.  The report, compiled by Human Rights Watch, Americans for Immigrant Justice, and Sanctuary…

Kenyan citizens planning travel to the United States will face substantially higher visa costs starting 1 October 2025, as a new US immigration law introduces a mandatory "Visa Integrity Fee" of $250 (approximately Ksh32,500) across nearly all non-immigrant visa categories.  The legislation,…

A coalition of legal advocacy organisations has launched a federal class-action lawsuit against the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), alleging a systematic strategy to circumvent due process through the arrest of non-citizens at immigration court hearings…