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EU countries collected €157.1m in application fees last year for visitor visas that were later rejected, according to data published on 8 June by the LAGO Collective. The NGO based its calculations on European Commission data from across the EU-27 in 2025. The number is another point in a continuous upward trend as rejected short via applications brought in €145.1m in 2024 and €130m in 2023. The highest rejection rates were recorded for applicants from Bangladesh (54.5%), Senegal (51.9%), Nigeria (47.8%), Pakistan (46%), and Angola (45.4%), whose rejection costs rose by the steepest margin at 177%, from €1m in 2024 to €2.9 million. Founder Marta Foresti of LAGO Collective called the Schengen process a “visa regime that functions as a tax on tourism, business, trade and aspirations.” Source: EUObserver

The European Migration and Asylum Pact comes into force today. A key premise of the Pact is that more restrictive measures will deter irregular migration to Europe. However, a dozen member states have yet to finalise preparations, including setting up the necessary infrastructure to accommodate the new screening procedures. Others have encountered issues with the biometric database. Public opinion on migration has hardened further since the changes were adopted, pushing EU states to demand further action. A new package of measures aimed at increasing the deportation of failed asylum seekers is currently being fast-tracked through the EU's legislative process. (via The New Region)

🧵 Thread #MigrationEU As of today, new rules reforming the EU migration and asylum system enter into application. What changes? We will answer your questions over the coming weeks. Here's all you need to know ↓ 🔗 link.europa.eu/vTWwPB

Tomorrow, 12th of June, the European Migration and Asylum Pact comes into force. An important premise of the Pact is that more restrictive measures will deter irregular migration towards Europe. But does deterrence actually work? Not according to our findings ⬇️⬇️⬇️

108 Cuban migrants trying to cross Brazil's northern border with Guyana were rescued from human smugglers in the largest humanitarian rescue ever recorded in the state, according to Brazilian police. 5 alleged smugglers were also arrested; known as "coyotes" as they extort exorbi

Anti-immigration protesters torched buildings and vehicles in Belfast on Tuesday after a brutal stabbing committed by a Sudanese refugee left one person with serious neck and head wounds on Monday. Video of the incident has been circulating on social media, adding to the outrage. Tensions have been rising with skirmishes in Southampton last week after the murder of a young white student by a British Sikh man and the police's handling of the situation. Source: The Guardian, France24