Screengrab of the article that reads "The bank argues that Year in Monzo features automatically generated content based on spending patterns, not personalised commentary written by a human."
"it wasn't us that insulted you, it was our computer"
Reply of @ec.europa.eu to my letter of March '25 (!) Re transatlantic data transfers. It is crystal clear that even at this stage of transatlantic relations, the Commission flatly refuses to ensure protection of European citizens’ rights, but relies instead on the “pretence of compliance” policy
News clipping of a guardian article with the headline "EU's deportations plan risks ICE-style enforcement, rights groups warn" above an image of people crowded together in a boat while a white police officer stands by.
A black and white print of Alamara Khwaja Bettum, a woman with long brunette hair, brown eyes and skin-tone, and a grave expression, is overlaid with an orange print of a police barricade. A quote from her reads, "Increasing surveillance, policing, and racial profiling will only fuel racism and a far-right agenda—not reduce migration. If accepted, these proposed measures will undermine the most basic of civil liberties to disastrous ends, which is the real threat we should be focused on addressing."
We joined 87 other organisations in a statement condemning the EU's proposed Deportation ("Return") Regulation, because increasing surveillance, policing, and racial profiling will only fuel racism and a far-right agenda.
The statement: buff.ly/FbcfD1I
The @theguardian.com article: buff.ly/Xu3a1sd
Quote from Romain Lanneau, "Technologies are becoming ever-present in the asylum and immigration system. Often, law enforcement and immigration authorities experiment with unreliable systems at the cost of migrants’ rights. Understanding what technologies are used and what redress are available is becoming indispensable." Information about the event appears in a text box below the quote.
Register now for the upcoming event, AI in the Field of Asylum and Immigration Law, to hear more from Statewatch researcher Romain Lanneau.
Host: ERA Academy of European Law
Dates: 9-10 March 2026
Location: Online
More details and registration info:
buff.ly/Tjoqhkx
Will you help us improve our work?
We've put together a survey on our work in 2025 to understand what you got out of it and how we can improve.
It should only take you a few minutes, but it will be a huge help for us!
Fill it out here: statewcloud.gn.apc.org/index.php/ap...
Beware of Small States: Lebanon since 1975 A masterclass by Elia Ayoub, PhD Class #2 March-April '26 REGISTRATIONS ARE OPEN!
This is uncomfortable timing but I have to advertise my second online masterclass on Lebanon, which is starting soon.
There are still a few spots available so if you're interested you'll find all the info you need in the thread below.
To book: thefirethesetimes.com/lebanonclass/
Here goes 🧵
"The most important part of the international refugee protection order is the principle that it provides protection."
My piece for @bylinetimes.bsky.social on how inhumane and counterproductive Labour's latest changes to the asylum system are in every possible way.
bylinetimes.com/2026/03/03/s...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY:
JamRadio turns 1 today. Built on culture, accountability and community. Thank you for standing with independent media.
We are grateful for everyone who’s been part of the journey.
#HappyBirthday #JamradioUK
So much will be said about all this in the coming days, but IMO the biggest takeaway is that James Watt and Martin Dickie each pocketed more than the price BrewDog was eventually sold for, while 500 hardworking staff are now out of a job & 220k equity punks don't get a dime.
Absolute charlatans.
It’s always brilliant to work with @voiceofdws.bsky.social & these recommendations for the Fair Work Agency are positive & practical & will help make sure the agency is relevant to & trusted by migrant domestic workers
Based on recent levels of grants, it would only take a few years before the number of reviews being processed is higher than the number of initial asylum decisions being taken. Within the first 10 years of reviews, @refugeecouncil.bsky.social estimates between 940k and 1.1m reviews would be needed.
We've just published a document that details the EU's disturbing plans to expand cross-border travel surveillance.
The changes include using travel data for new purposes, such as immigration control, and bypassing important safeguards.
Read more: buff.ly/N8iffJW
The image shows people working on a farm in the UK. The headline reads: "The UK government has been slammed for 'callous' inaction on farmworkers abuse"
NEW: For the last few years, calls to reform the seasonal worker visa have gone largely ignored
Now, the government has even rejected several recommendations from its own independent immigration advisers...
Story link in the replies ⬇️ @mellino.bsky.social
A red-printed hand holding out several hundred euros is overlaid with the green-printed wake of a boat. Above this, a text box reads "The EU's “new and innovative solution” to migration. Is it a rights-based solution? A response to the many statements from campaigners? No. The document we obtained shows EU policy-makers want to ressurect an old idea: paying non-EU states to intercept and detain people at sea, before they can reach European shores."
Unsurprisingly, the EU's supposedly “new and innovative solution” to migration is a re-packaged and previously rejected one.
Read more in the article by @freylindsay.bsky.social: buff.ly/yGtueHB
NEW - JAMRADIO - (EXCLUSIVE)
Windrush Statutory Public Inquiry?
The Home Office Minister can’t answer a simple question:
Why do Post Office Scandal and Infected Blood Scandal victims get full public inquiries, but Windrush Scandal victims don’t?
Been listening to the Civil Fleet podcast for ages, so had a great time babbling on about the 'Libyan Coast Guard' and the other random EU migration shenanigans we track at @statewatch.bsky.social . Thanks to Ben for editing me into something resembling coherence...
🚨NEW EPISODE 🎧
Frey Lindsey from @statewatch.bsky.social tells us how the Libyan Coastguard isn’t a unified organisation but a mixture of armed factions.
We also discuss a leaked EU document proposing new ‘place of safety arrangements’ with non-European Mediterranean countries.
Statement just sent to me by SOS Humanity:
'Sea-Watch 5 detained: Second Justice Fleet vessel punished for non-communication with Libya'
Worth noting that when asked, in reference to Afghanistan, about the possibility of people being prosecuted/executed after being deported, Deputy Home Commissioner Luchner said basically 'we ask them not to do it and they assure us they won't'
Very strong words from Mehdi Kassou of BelRefugees on the EU/Belgium working with the Taliban on deportations: "Administration is never neutral when it involves identifying people, classifying them and producing decisions that determine their future, their freedom and sometimes their survival"
Interested in US border control and the experience of claiming asylum? Juliana in Arizona talks about what it's like : blogs.law.ox.ac.uk/border-crimi...
The other day I spoke to journalist Adejuwon Soyinka on his new video podcast The Insight, about how the EU wants to ramp up the deportation of Nigerians + West Africans, and how these often brutal 'returns' are already a regular occurence, done largely in secret. www.youtube.com/watch?v=du3I...
Mehrere Abgeordnete der #AfD bejubeln #Trumps Vorgehen in #Venezuela und zeigen ihre Verachtung gegenüber dem #Völkerrecht. Sie folgen Trumps Weltbild: dem Recht des Stärkeren – geprägt vom nationalsozialistischen Vordenker Carl Schmitt.
Are the EU's border policy plans similar to the US?
Listen in as Statewatch journalist Frey Lindsay shares the answer on Lagos Talks radio.
Want to help change the direction? Follow our bulletin, Outsourcing borders, here: buff.ly/8qfXgJa
Speaker: @freylindsay.bsky.social
EU doubles its pullback system in #Libya:
Renegade Benghazi to receive control centre and surveillance tower to prevent increasing departures of migrant boats to #Crete. This will benefit the murderous militia TBZ.
digit.site36.net/2026/01/06/e...
Leitstelle und Wachturm: Die EU kopiert ihr Hintertür-Modell aus Westlibyen in den Osten. Berüchtigte Milizen sollen damit Geflüchtete auf einer neuen Route nach Kreta abfangen.
The 12th issue of the #ExternalisationBulletin is out now 🚨
This edition covers:
• Efforts to expand Frontex’s mandate
• Growing concerns over the EU’s digital border systems
• Threats to undermine EU's new migration "solidarity" system
And more, here: buff.ly/GK3RMMW
The 11th issue of the #ExternalisationBulletin is here.
Here are some of the updates.
1. Global counter-smuggling alliance:
The EU prepares a joint declaration for its global alliance on migrant smuggling, aiming to extend enforcement powers “along the whole route.”
Hell yes
Close-up of a suit and tie with a Europol pin above a header that says "analysis: Europol and private companies." Below is an explanation of the increasing role of private companies, with the example of Microsoft employees having a desk at Europol's office.
The same summary text listed in the description is next to an image of Palantir co-founder Peter Thiel.
1/ What does the increasing relationship between Europol and private companies mean for our rights and democratic process?
That's precisely what we cover in our latest analysis by @giacomoza.bsky.social
