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VOA immigration weekly recap, April 7-13, 2024


FILE - The marker of the U.S.-Canada border at Roxham Road on Feb. 26, 2017, in Champlain, New York. Many undocumented immigrants from India are entering the United States via Canada.
FILE - The marker of the U.S.-Canada border at Roxham Road on Feb. 26, 2017, in Champlain, New York. Many undocumented immigrants from India are entering the United States via Canada.

Editor's note: Here is a look at immigration-related news around the U.S. this week. Questions? Tips? Comments? Email the VOA immigration team: ImmigrationUnit@voanews.com.

Regretting coming to U.S., some Chinese immigrants return home

Chinese migrants coming across the southern U.S. border say they made the treacherous journey to flee China’s authoritarian rule, seek the American dream or escape growing political and economic uncertainty at home. But the challenges do not end after they arrive, and some have decided to return to China, while others have no choice. Produced by VOA’s Tracy Liu.

Undocumented Indian migrants chart new path to U.S. via Canada

In recent years, the United States has seen an unprecedented surge in undocumented migrants from India, most slipping in through Mexico. But as the U.S.-Mexico border faces growing pressure, many are turning to a less-conventional path: crossing the expansive and lightly guarded border with Canada. Produced by VOA’s Masood Farivar.

Maryland governor: State focused on families of workers killed in bridge collapse

Authorities believe six workers — immigrants from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador — plunged to their deaths in the Patapsco River. Two others survived. The bodies of three workers have been recovered, and the search for the other victims continues. Maryland Governor Wes Moore said the state remains focused on supporting the families of the six workers. Reported by The Associated Press.

VOA60 Africa: Lack of aid pushes Sudanese to edge of famine

Over a year since the start of the civil war, a lack of aid combined with precarious conditions have pushed people in Sudan to the edge of famine. Displaced citizens celebrated Eid al-Fitr from hospitals and refugee camps.

Immigration around the world

Sudanese refugees face collapsed health care system in South Sudan

Political violence in Sudan is forcing thousands of refugees, many of them children, to neighboring South Sudan for safety. There, they face a different threat — a collapsing health care system. Sheila Ponnie reports for VOA from Renk, Upper Nile State, South Sudan.

Thousands continue to flee Sudan every day as conflict rages

The United Nations refugee agency says thousands of people are still fleeing Sudan every day as clashes between two warring army factions, raging for nearly a year, show no signs of abating. The latest UNHCR figures show that more than 8.5 million people in Sudan have been forced to flee their homes since war erupted on April 15, 2023, making this one of the largest displacement and humanitarian crises in the world. The number includes 1.8 million Sudanese who have fled to neighboring countries seeking refuge. Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from Geneva.

International Organization for Migration: Shipwreck off Djibouti leaves 38 dead

A ship carrying Ethiopian migrants sank Monday off Djibouti, killing at least 38 people, according to the International Organization for Migration. Twenty-two people were rescued, the U.N. agency said in a statement. The ship was traveling to Yemen from Djibouti, the main transit country for migrants attempting to reach Gulf nations from the Horn of Africa. VOA News reports.

EU lawmakers approve overhaul of migration law, hoping to deprive far right of votes

European Union lawmakers on Wednesday approved a major revamp of the bloc's migration laws aimed at ending years of division over how to manage the entry of thousands of people without authorization and depriving the far right of a vote-winning campaign issue ahead of June elections. The members of the European Parliament voted on the Pact on Migration and Asylum, regulations and policies meant to help address the thorny issue of who should take responsibility for migrants when they arrive and whether other EU countries should be obliged to help. Reported by The Associated Press.

News brief

— Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas announced Friday the extension and redesignation of Ethiopia for Temporary Protected Status for 18 months, from June 13, 2024, to December 12, 2025, due to ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions in Ethiopia that prevent individuals from safely returning.

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