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VOA Immigration Weekly Recap, March 17-23


FILE - Migrants wait to climb over concertina wire after they crossed the Rio Grande and entered the U.S. from Mexico, Sept. 23, 2023, in Eagle Pass, Texas. An appeals court issued an order March 19, 2024, putting a controversial Texas border law back on hold.
FILE - Migrants wait to climb over concertina wire after they crossed the Rio Grande and entered the U.S. from Mexico, Sept. 23, 2023, in Eagle Pass, Texas. An appeals court issued an order March 19, 2024, putting a controversial Texas border law back on hold.

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.

Mexican Journalist, Son Receive Official US Asylum Papers After 15-Year Journey

A federal immigration judge granted asylum on Monday to a Mexican journalist who fled his country more than 15 years ago after receiving death threats because of his reporting on Mexican military corruption. VOA’s immigration reporter Aline Barros has more.

Court Puts Texas Border Enforcement Law Back on Hold

A federal appeals court late Tuesday issued an order that again prevents Texas from arresting migrants suspected of entering the U.S. illegally, hours after the Supreme Court allowed the strict new immigration law to take effect. The decision by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals comes weeks after a panel on the same court cleared the way for Texas to enforce the law by putting a pause on a lower judge’s injunction. Reported by the Associated Press.

Even Before Latest Violence, Thousands of Haitians Fled for US

Thousands of Haitians fled their country’s economic and political instability even before the latest outbreak of violence. The first stop for many is South America, where some try to work before heading for the United States. VOA's Austin Landis met with one man on the Colombia-Panama border preparing to cross the treacherous Darien Gap. Camera: Jorge Calle.

VOA Photo of the Day

Rohingya refugees stand on their capsized boat before being rescued in the waters off West Aceh, Indonesia.

VOA60 World - At Least 15 Dead in Israeli Strikes on Nuseirat Camp, Palestinian Health Officials Said

Gaza: Residents of the Nuseirat refugee camp gathered on Wednesday around the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted a residential building with three floors, killing at least 15 people, Palestinian health officials said.

Immigration around the world

Rohingya Refugee Boat Capsizes Off Indonesia

A wooden boat transporting dozens of Rohingya Muslim refugees capsized at least 11 kilometers off the northernmost coast of Indonesia on Wednesday. The refugees were sailing east when their boat started leaking and strong tides began pushing it toward Kuala Bubon Beach in Aceh province, according to a local resident who spoke with Agence France-Presse. Once the boat capsized, the refugees were clinging to the overturned craft. Report by VOANews.

DRC’s Internally Displaced People Struggle With Mental Health

In the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, there are about 800,000 people living in refugee camps near the city of Goma. Medical officials working here say many are suffering from mental health issues. The medical group Medecins Sans Frontieres is doing what it can to help. VOA’s Zanem Nety Zaidi reports.

Greece Alarmed by Rising Tides of Migrants

Greece is facing increasing illegal immigration as the Gaza crisis continues. The trend has Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and senior European Union officials heading to Egypt on Sunday to sign an aid package worth about $8 billion that is intended to help ease migration. Produced by Anthee Carassava.

News brief

— U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas traveled to Guatemala City, Guatemala, to meet with President Bernardo Arévalo in a bilateral meeting to “expand our countries’ cooperation with one another.”

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