Platform for Undocumented Migrants (PICUM)

🍁 Looking for a career change this autumn? Check out our list of migration jobs from across our network! Plus, a scam alert! [Belgium] Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen Organisational Policy Officer (Dutch speaking) – 16 November https://lnkd.in/drhktK-b [Germany] Arbeit und Leben DGB/VHS NRW Project Officer (German speaking) – 9 November https://lnkd.in/dZsg3teS [Germany] Safe Passage Fund Community and Learning Officer – 9 November https://lnkd.in/dAxYewFb [Greece] European Lawyers in Lesvos (ELIL) Asylum Lawyer – No Specified Deadline https://lnkd.in/dprm7vH [Greece] European Lawyers in Lesvos (ELIL) Project Officer– ASAP https://lnkd.in/dzyBHc9P [Ireland] Nasc, the Migrant & Refugee Rights Centre Education Pathways Officer – 19 November https://lnkd.in/dzJihJ8A [Luxembourg] UNRWA Senior Research and Partnership Officer – 25 November https://lnkd.in/dGGWnM23 [Malta] Jesuit Refugee Service Youth Worker – No specified deadline https://lnkd.in/d7nGsfeU [Malta] aditus foundation Legal Officer – 31 December https://lnkd.in/dgCd4Juz [Poland] IOM - UN Migration National Programme Support Officer – 19 November https://lnkd.in/dna7shaP [Spain] Accem Lawyer in International Protection (Spanish speaking) – No specified deadline https://lnkd.in/dXz7gy7B [UK] Work Rights Centre Center Trainee Solicitor – 28 November https://lnkd.in/es96ddHT [UK] Praxis, for Migrants and Refugees Head of Community – 10 November https://lnkd.in/eYZzJ8ax *** 👀 Watch out for scam vacancies! A dodgy website is advertising a fake vacancy at PICUM for a research internship. This is a scam. Our traineeships positions are always advertised twice a year, once in June and once in December, and are always published on our website and on our LinkedIn page. Make sure to follow our official channels ❤️

🚨 The European Parliament is about to start debating a law that would harm millions across Europe. With 250+ groups we call on EU lawmakers to reject it. The European Commission’s proposed Deportation Regulation (euphemistically called "Return Regulation") would entrench punishment and racialised discrimination as the cornerstones of migration policy while expanding detention and surveillance across Europe. The current text: ❌ Expands immigration detention to up to 24 months, even for children  ❌ Reinforces states’ discretion in creating offshore deportation centres   ❌ Increases racial profiling and intrusive digital surveillance  ❌ Erodes rights of appeal and right to an effective remedy Ahead of the publication of MEP Azmani’s Draft Report for the European Parliament, civil society organisations are clear: MEPs must reject this Regulation. It's high time Europe invested in welcoming and fair societies for all.

What comes next for the 4.4 million Ukrainians living under temporary protection? We organised a high-level conference to explore options 👀   As we move towards 2027, when temporary protection is due to end, the question of how people transition out of temporary status is becoming urgent.   In this event hosted by us, the European Policy Centre the International Rescue Committee EU and EGMONT - Royal Institute for International Relations, we brought together leading representatives of European and Ukrainian civil society, as well as EU, national and Ukrainian officials.   EU Special Envoy for Ukrainians in the EU Ylva Johansson outlined a new phase - “moving from protection to partnership, from emergency to empowerment”. While the war continues, many Ukrainians have built lives, jobs, and communities in the EU. Transitioning to stable, rights-based residence permits, or indeed returning to Ukraine, must take this reality into account.   At PICUM, we echoed the need for a coordinated and inclusive approach. Transition plans must leave no one behind – what’s more, member states must start working on them now to prevent that people become undocumented in 2027.   Speakers from across Europe highlighted both progress and challenges in shaping long-term solutions for Ukrainians.   In Germany, authorities are encouraging transitions from temporary protection to national work permits, though recognition of qualifications remains a major barrier. In Czechia, more than 80,000 people applied for a special five-year permit, but only 15,000 received it – showing that permits based on high incomes will leave many behind, particularly women and young families.   From the European Commission, it was highlighted that better coordination is essential, with specific consideration to the untapped potential of “unity hubs” - community spaces designed to connect Ukrainians across the EU with each other, with local communities, and with Ukraine itself.   From the Ukrainian government, the message was clear: as the country looks towards EU accession, the future should be built on unity, dignity, and partnership - ensuring that Ukrainians in the EU are seen not as temporary guests, but as contributors to Europe’s shared future and to Ukraine’s eventual recovery.   At PICUM, we call for: ✅ durable, well-designed residence options for those who wish to stay ✅ a supportive voluntary return programme for those who wish to return to Ukraine ✅ continued access to health care, education, and decent work while people are in Europe ✅ meaningful engagement of civil society in all planning   As this transition begins, member states have a chance to transform temporary protection into lasting permits grounded in rights, dignity, and inclusion – and leave no one behind.

We know, a newsletter about migration policies can be quite depressing these days. And this can be dangerous. So we're doing something new ❤️ Since its first issue in September 2023, The Migration Papers has been reporting on key European legislation, policies and case-law about irregular migration and undocumented people. We will continue doing that. But let's face it: much of it can be quite depressing nowadays for those who work for migrant rights and justice. We live in times where hostility to migrants is becoming prevalent in political discourse, media reports and public opinions all over Europe. It's only natural that this climate is reflected in the legislation, policies and case-law we report on. But on the long term, only focusing on that can get dangerous. The risk is that we reinforce the idea that there is no alternative to a hostile Europe, and that we leave our readers and followers hopeless and more inclined to just give up. The reality is that today still, there are many people and organisations that continue to fight day in, day out for a fair and kind Europe for all. They may not be the majority, but they are there and they are as committed as ever. Sometimes, they even win. We need to show this side of Europe too. From this issue, we're committing to: ❤️ showing the work we and our partners do to fight hostile policies and promote fair and humane ones right at the start ❤️ reporting about civil society campaigns across Europe - have a read about what La Cimade is doing for regularisation in France (give them a follow, their social media campaign is great!) ❤️ spotlighting wins and stories of solidarity from across Europe - check out what happened in a small Spanish town this month! It's not perfect (just look at the title of this issue!), but it's a learning curve we're committed to. If you want to flag anything that gives you hope in the fight for migrants' rights and justice, leave us a comment or email us at [email protected]. In the words of American anthropologist Margaret Meade, “Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.” Another Europe is possible. *** 📲 Read the latest issue of The Migration Papers below. Hit the subscribe button: you'll get automatic notifications from LinkedIn as soon as we publish a new issue.

Migration is human and cannot be stopped. But deaths at borders can and must be.

📢 Happening today! Looking forward to discussing about the future of Ukrainians in Europe with high level speakers from the EU and Ukraine. In June 2025, EU member states unanimously agreed to extend until March 2027 Temporary Protection for people fleeing Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Yet Temporary Protection will not last indefinitely. In September, the Council adopted a Recommendation on a coordinated approach out of Temporary Protection, setting out possible pathways to return or transition to different residence statuses for longer-term stay in the EU. This Policy Dialogue will explore next steps and remaining questions concerning the transition out of Temporary Protection. 📌 How can inconsistencies and protection gaps be avoided? 📌 How can policies balance individual needs of persons displaced in the EU with Ukraine’s reintegration capacity and long-term priorities? 📌 What role should the EU play in supporting a truly coordinated approach, and where do gaps remain? The event will open with a keynote address by Ylva Johansson, Special Envoy for Ukrainians in the EU and former Commissioner for Home Affairs, followed by panel exchanges with experts, public officials and civil society from the EU and Ukraine. With: 🎙️ Michele LeVoy, Director, PICUM (moderator) 🎙️ Hans-Ulrich Benra, Head of the Task Force Ukraine, German Federal Ministry of the Interior 🎙️ Nacira Boulehouat, Head of Unit Migration Management Coordination, Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, European Commission 🎙️ Magda Faltová, Board Chair, Consortium of Migrants Assisting Organisations and Director, Association for Integration and Migration, Czechia 🎙️ Jean-Louis De Brouwer, Director, Egmont Institute (moderator) 🎙️ Ilona Havronska, Deputy Minister for European Integration, Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine 🎙️ Oksana Gedz, Advocacy Coordinator, Right to Protection, Ukraine The event is hosted by the European Policy Centre, the Platform for Undocumented Migrants (PICUM), the International Rescue Committee EU and the EGMONT - Royal Institute for International Relations. 🫣 Registrations for this event are now closed, but do follow our page as we'll be posting key insights and pictures from the morning!

🍉 80 years after the UN’s founding, justice is still waiting for Palestinians. It’s time for the EU to stand on the right side of history. As the world marks 80 years since the UN’s founding, we see no starker contrast to its ideals than the ongoing genocide in Gaza — and the EU’s response to it. The EU’s silence doesn’t just betray its values — it undermines international law and the very principles it claims to defend. Across Europe, governments are cracking down on Palestinian solidarity — shrinking civic space and suppressing the freedoms of expression, assembly, and association. In Israel and Palestine, Palestinians are denied freedom of movement, work, and basic rights. Israel’s control over Palestinian borders and population registries is pushing a whole people in legal precarity. The EU must act now: ✅ Recognize Palestinian passports as valid travel documents. ✅ Facilitate and expedite visa deliveries. ✅ Issue and renew residence permits without obstruction. ✅ Process asylum applications quickly and grant refugee status without delay. ✅ End the withdrawal of nationality and protect children’s citizenship. Human dignity cannot wait. Read our statement on https://lnkd.in/dmxSSKY6

Anti-migrant sentiment didn't fall from the sky. This is a damning report for many "mainstream parties" by UN Special Rapporteur Olivier De Schutter. A new report by the UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights shows how decades of cuts to social welfare programs by mainstream politicians across Europe and beyond have created fertile ground for far-right and rightwing populist movements. By steadily eroding social protections, politicians have fostered a sense of scarcity and insecurity, leaving many people feeling abandoned and fearful of falling behind in the face of globalization, digital and ecological transitions. This climate of insecurity has often been exploited to stoke anti-migrant sentiment. Populist parties argue that migrants strain limited public resources, despite evidence showing that migrants in OECD countries contribute more in taxes and social contributions than they receive in individual benefits. The result is a dangerous “us versus them” discourse, pitting groups of people against each other and reinforcing societal divisions. De Schutter shows how populist parties thrive in regions where public services are weak, economic insecurity is high, and people feel neglected. Once in power, these parties have tended to dismantle social protections further, benefiting elites while exacerbating poverty and inequality for the wider population. The UN expert’s upcoming report calls for a fundamental rethink of the welfare state. Social programs—from healthcare and food assistance to unemployment benefits—should be understood not as costs, but as investments in the social fabric. Strengthening universal, rights-based social protection can reduce inequality, counter the rise of populism, and ensure that no one is left behind. 🗞️ Source: The Guardian https://lnkd.in/eTjgzDvq

When those in power blame "migrants", we all lose. We’re being divided and distracted while they dismantle rights and welfare systems for everyone.

Why would left and right unite over the regularisation of undocumented people? Because it's common sense, and it's the right thing to do ❤️ In Villamalea, a small town in central Spain, all political parties came together to pass a motion calling on the government to regularise undocumented people.   The motion was championed by José Núñez Pérez, Villamalea’s conservative mayor, who said: “We didn’t even debate it… it’s not just economics, it’s a question of humanity.”   Migrants have been essential to the town’s economy — producing 70% of Spain’s mushrooms — and to its social fabric, with residents from 32 countries enriching the community.   Villamalea proves that supporting undocumented people is not a partisan issue, but a common-sense and humane one.   Regularisation strengthens communities, protects workers, and upholds human dignity. It works, and it’s the right thing to do. *** Source: The Guardian https://lnkd.in/d_muVffK