Gianluca Cesaro
@gianlucacesaro.bsky.social
Senior Comms Officer at Platform for Undocumented Migrants picum.org. Here with news and stories on migration in Europe. DMs open for journalists.
Reposted by Gianluca Cesaro
Italian citizenship referendum: this weekend, Italy has a chance to change thousands of lives for the better and secure their residence status. We hope Italians will choose welcoming and belonging 💚🤍❤️
June 5, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Italian citizenship referendum: this weekend, Italy has a chance to change thousands of lives for the better and secure their residence status. We hope Italians will choose welcoming and belonging 💚🤍❤️
New data on how many people were criminalised across the EU simply for helping others in need. Crucial read as the EU is negotiating a new Directive that risks bringing even more people to trial.
🚨 NEW 🚨 Across the EU, people continue to be criminalised simply for crossing borders or for helping others in need. Our new report is out today.
Key findings in thread and full report on picum.org/wp-content/u...
Key findings in thread and full report on picum.org/wp-content/u...
April 29, 2025 at 9:59 AM
New data on how many people were criminalised across the EU simply for helping others in need. Crucial read as the EU is negotiating a new Directive that risks bringing even more people to trial.
People rely on smuggling because they have no better options to come to Europe. Cracking down on alleged smugglers - often migrants themselves - doesn't create better options.
Our latest op-ed:
Our latest op-ed:
Harmful and absurd: this is what Europe's approach to migrant smuggling is. And a new EU directive could make things even worse. Read our latest op-ed on International Politics and Society.
On migrant smuggling, Europe must make a U-turn
Cracking down on smugglers doesn’t make migration safer, it makes it deadlier — and a new EU directive could make things even worse
www.ips-journal.eu
April 8, 2025 at 7:47 AM
People rely on smuggling because they have no better options to come to Europe. Cracking down on alleged smugglers - often migrants themselves - doesn't create better options.
Our latest op-ed:
Our latest op-ed:
From deportation hubs to entry bans, we tell you all that's wrong with the new EU proposal to escalate deportations across Europe. Our press release:
New Returns Regulation ushers in dystopian detention and deportation regime - PICUM
On 11th March, the European Commission published a new draft law to step up and speed up deportations of undocumented people across Europe. This proposal has been rushed through under political press...
picum.org
March 11, 2025 at 4:09 PM
From deportation hubs to entry bans, we tell you all that's wrong with the new EU proposal to escalate deportations across Europe. Our press release:
The European Commission has huge narrative firepower when it presents new legislation. This morning, with @picumofficial.bsky.social @amnestyeu.bsky.social + Equinox we set the record straight in a press briefing BEFORE a new deportation law is put out. Great to see first media reports trickling in.
EU to expand deportation regime as Europe turns against migrants
A new EU-wide deportation regime is set to be unveiled by the European Commission on Tuesday, raising alarm among rights defenders as the bloc continues its political push to crack down on migration.
euobserver.com
March 10, 2025 at 5:01 PM
The European Commission has huge narrative firepower when it presents new legislation. This morning, with @picumofficial.bsky.social @amnestyeu.bsky.social + Equinox we set the record straight in a press briefing BEFORE a new deportation law is put out. Great to see first media reports trickling in.
Reposted by Gianluca Cesaro
A new European Parliament study asks the European Commission to withdraw proposed rules to tackle migrant ‘smuggling’, as they risk leading to increased criminalisation of migrants and those who help them. We spoke to @euobserver.com.
Even altruistic rescuers risk lengthy prison under draft EU bill, warns study
A European Parliament study has raised alarm over a counter-smuggling EU bill that may lead to lengthy prison sentences for people helping prospective asylum seekers.
euobserver.com
March 7, 2025 at 11:43 AM
A new European Parliament study asks the European Commission to withdraw proposed rules to tackle migrant ‘smuggling’, as they risk leading to increased criminalisation of migrants and those who help them. We spoke to @euobserver.com.
Great episode from @thecivilfleet.bsky.social with @yaswmac.bsky.social on the soaring criminalisation of migration and solidarity with migrants in Europe. Sadly very timely as the EU is now negotiating a new Facilitation Directive that risks worsening things.
Episode 68: EU plans to criminalise solidarity with refugees
In this episode, we speak with Yasha Maccanico a researcher and journalist at StateWatch, a UK-based charity focused on civil liberties, human rights and democracy in Europe. We talk about a …
thecivilfleet.wordpress.com
March 7, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Great episode from @thecivilfleet.bsky.social with @yaswmac.bsky.social on the soaring criminalisation of migration and solidarity with migrants in Europe. Sadly very timely as the EU is now negotiating a new Facilitation Directive that risks worsening things.
And only hours after this meeting, @euronews.com's @eleonoravasques.bsky.social scooped a report confirming the Commission will be including provisions around "return hubs" (aka deportation centres) in the new draft Returns Directive. Grim opening for more Italy-Albania-like deals.
🚨 The European Commission is preparing a new law to step up deportations. Yesterday, we brought together 9 other NGOs and met the EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner to voice our concerns.
Here's what we told him:
Here's what we told him:
February 5, 2025 at 1:18 PM
And only hours after this meeting, @euronews.com's @eleonoravasques.bsky.social scooped a report confirming the Commission will be including provisions around "return hubs" (aka deportation centres) in the new draft Returns Directive. Grim opening for more Italy-Albania-like deals.
"in its quest to curtail irregular migration while safeguarding rights and EU values, the European Union is falling into Putin's trap: namely, that the West is corrupted by hypocrisy"
- compellingly clear words from @nikolajnielsen.bsky.social on the "instrumentalisation of migration"
- compellingly clear words from @nikolajnielsen.bsky.social on the "instrumentalisation of migration"
The EU swallows Putin's bait on migration
Few would argue Belarus and Russia are not pushing people over the borders with Finland, Poland and the Baltic states. But the EU's security-centric narrative against migrants and asylum seekers, whil...
euobserver.com
February 5, 2025 at 8:25 AM
"in its quest to curtail irregular migration while safeguarding rights and EU values, the European Union is falling into Putin's trap: namely, that the West is corrupted by hypocrisy"
- compellingly clear words from @nikolajnielsen.bsky.social on the "instrumentalisation of migration"
- compellingly clear words from @nikolajnielsen.bsky.social on the "instrumentalisation of migration"
"keeping immigration high on the political agenda is something that can be exploited in all sorts of ways"
Compelling short video from @theguardian.com
Compelling short video from @theguardian.com
How immigration is used as a political weapon – video
Josh Toussaint-Strauss explores how immigration can be exploited for business, to boost political agendas, and as a weapon of war
www.theguardian.com
January 31, 2025 at 12:51 PM
"keeping immigration high on the political agenda is something that can be exploited in all sorts of ways"
Compelling short video from @theguardian.com
Compelling short video from @theguardian.com
Reposted by Gianluca Cesaro
How EU countries will apply the EU Migration Pact is an incredibly opaque process. We're proud to join this letter to the European Commission to demand national implementation plans are made public.
📄 1/3 Migreurop et près d'une cinquantaine d'associations et réseaux européens adressent une lettre ouverte à la Commission européenne afin de demander la publication des plans nationaux de mise en œuvre du Pacte européen sur la migration et l'asile.
migreurop.org/article3342....
migreurop.org/article3342....
Accès aux plans nationaux de mise en œuvre du Pacte européen sur la migration et l'asile – MIGREUROP
Madame la présidente, Monsieur le commissaire, Le Pacte européen sur la migration et l'asile a été adopté par le Parlement européen le 10 avril 2024. Ainsi que le prévoit votre communication du 12…
migreurop.org
January 31, 2025 at 12:24 PM
How EU countries will apply the EU Migration Pact is an incredibly opaque process. We're proud to join this letter to the European Commission to demand national implementation plans are made public.
I've been working in NGO comms in Brussels for over 6 years and I don't remember ever seeing the Editor-in-Chief of one of the biggest Brussels outlets mocking human rights groups because they denounce blatant Islamophobia. Solidarity to our friends @enareurope.bsky.social @amnestyeu.bsky.social.
January 31, 2025 at 11:14 AM
I've been working in NGO comms in Brussels for over 6 years and I don't remember ever seeing the Editor-in-Chief of one of the biggest Brussels outlets mocking human rights groups because they denounce blatant Islamophobia. Solidarity to our friends @enareurope.bsky.social @amnestyeu.bsky.social.
Super interesting investigation into workplace accidents of migrant workers. Perfect timing as at PICUM we'll look this year into health and safety provisions for undocumented workers.
🔎Investigation uncovers hundreds of migrant workers filing injury claims after workplace accidents in The Netherlands, often settled behind the scenes. Cross-border team of journalists shed light on this issue. Read more about this project and find links to publications : bit.ly/4fZK6jg #plupro
January 14, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Super interesting investigation into workplace accidents of migrant workers. Perfect timing as at PICUM we'll look this year into health and safety provisions for undocumented workers.
One of the few cases where a headline ending with a question mark can be answered with a "yes".
Will Mass Deportation Be A Moneymaker For Private Prisons?
Shortly after the election, during CoreCivic’s quarterly earnings conference call with its investors, its President and Chief Operating Officer, Damon Hininger, commen...
www.forbes.com
January 14, 2025 at 3:03 PM
One of the few cases where a headline ending with a question mark can be answered with a "yes".
Deportation centres outside the EU, further criminalisation of migration and solidarity with migrants, walls and automated borders... grim recap by @jogill.bsky.social of what the EU may do on migration in 2025.
Fortress Europe: what will migration policy look like in 2025? | Context
Europe is set to crack down on smuggling, fast-track deportations and boost border controls to rein in migration in 2025
www.context.news
January 14, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Deportation centres outside the EU, further criminalisation of migration and solidarity with migrants, walls and automated borders... grim recap by @jogill.bsky.social of what the EU may do on migration in 2025.
And here we are! Do give us a follow for regular updates on our work on irregularised migration.
Hello BlueSky! We're a network of 160+ orgs working to advance the rights of undocumented migrants. Follow us for updates on our work on:
📝 regularisation
🛠️ migrant workers + work permits
⛔ immigration detention + deportations
🩺 access to health, justice and other services
👶 undocumented children
📝 regularisation
🛠️ migrant workers + work permits
⛔ immigration detention + deportations
🩺 access to health, justice and other services
👶 undocumented children
January 13, 2025 at 11:06 AM
And here we are! Do give us a follow for regular updates on our work on irregularised migration.
Great recap piece on @elsaltodiario.com about where the EU is going on migration. Nice to see many of PICUM's perspectives reflected, including around the Italy-Albania deal, the criminalisation of solidarity with migrants and the new EU ban on forced labour products.
2024, otro año de guerra contra las personas que migran
El concepto “deportación” ha protagonizado la retórica migratoria durante un año en el que desde Europa, a Estados Unidos, pasando por Japón o Sudáfrica, los estados receptores de personas en movimien...
www.elsaltodiario.com
December 19, 2024 at 10:31 AM
Great recap piece on @elsaltodiario.com about where the EU is going on migration. Nice to see many of PICUM's perspectives reflected, including around the Italy-Albania deal, the criminalisation of solidarity with migrants and the new EU ban on forced labour products.
Telling hint of how the EU is turning towards militarist approaches to migration.
EU policy lingo is shifting the word "instrumentalisation" of migrants to "weaponisation" of migrants. The shift is not incidental. One senior diplomat told reporters today that weaponisation "gives a rather large tool of means that can be used in order to fight it.”
December 18, 2024 at 12:28 PM
Telling hint of how the EU is turning towards militarist approaches to migration.
Happy to see so many news outlets today covering our criticism against the EU Council voting on a text that threatens people helping migrants. Starting with AP, some more in thread 👇
EU nations agree a crackdown on migrant smugglers. Some fear it may target people trying to help
European Union countries have agreed a draft law aimed at preventing and countering migrant smuggling, which critics say could be abused to target people or charity groups that try to help migrants in...
apnews.com
December 13, 2024 at 3:28 PM
Happy to see so many news outlets today covering our criticism against the EU Council voting on a text that threatens people helping migrants. Starting with AP, some more in thread 👇
Just adopted: the EU Council has voted on its position on migrant smuggling rules (the new Facilitation Directive), which fails to exempt solidarity with migrants from criminalisation. Another step in the wrong direction.
Migrant smuggling: member states reach agreement on criminal law
The Council has reached a general approach on a directive to prevent and counter migrant smuggling.
www.consilium.europa.eu
December 13, 2024 at 9:30 AM
Just adopted: the EU Council has voted on its position on migrant smuggling rules (the new Facilitation Directive), which fails to exempt solidarity with migrants from criminalisation. Another step in the wrong direction.
Beyond restrictions to asylum, the EU Council is set to vote tomorrow on a text that would increase even more the criminalisation of solidarity with migrants (and migrants themselves). Our press release 👇
Migrant smuggling: EU Council set to vote on text threatening people helping migrants - PICUM
On 13th December 2024, the EU Council will vote on new EU rules about migrant smuggling which would leave the door open to the criminalisation of migrants and solidarity with migrants. The vote marks ...
picum.org
December 12, 2024 at 4:15 PM
Beyond restrictions to asylum, the EU Council is set to vote tomorrow on a text that would increase even more the criminalisation of solidarity with migrants (and migrants themselves). Our press release 👇
Amid Europe's crackdown on migrants, children seeking safety are ever more at risk of harm and abuse. We spoke to @contextnewsroom.bsky.social about what the Migration Pact will do for them. (spoiler: not a lot)
'Invisible' refugee children caught in Europe's migration red tape | Context
More children are taking perilous routes to reach safety in Europe but rights groups warn the bloc is ill-equipped to help them
www.context.news
December 12, 2024 at 2:54 PM
Amid Europe's crackdown on migrants, children seeking safety are ever more at risk of harm and abuse. We spoke to @contextnewsroom.bsky.social about what the Migration Pact will do for them. (spoiler: not a lot)
Great recap of where the EU is going on migration these days. Besides restrictions to asylum (not only for Syrians), the Council is set to vote tomorrow on new anti-smuggling rules that would open the door to more criminalisation of solidarity with migrants.
👉Covering everything from this week's JHA Council, the latest developments on migration at the EU level, Syria, updates on the smuggling directive, and insights into the implementation of the Pact.
Thanks to Giada Santana and the incredible prod team at @euractiv.com
open.spotify.com/episode/3faV...
Thanks to Giada Santana and the incredible prod team at @euractiv.com
open.spotify.com/episode/3faV...
The controversial EU-level talks on borders, smuggling and asylum procedures
Today in the EU · Episode
open.spotify.com
December 12, 2024 at 8:51 AM
Great recap of where the EU is going on migration these days. Besides restrictions to asylum (not only for Syrians), the Council is set to vote tomorrow on new anti-smuggling rules that would open the door to more criminalisation of solidarity with migrants.
Reposted by Gianluca Cesaro
"Part of the stated objective is to make it more difficult to live in Sweden without a permit, as well as enforce refusal-of-entry or expulsion orders," @nikolajnielsen.bsky.social reports for @euobserver.com.
[Gift article]
[Gift article]
Sweden mulls 'snitch' law to report undocumented migrants
Major sections of the Swedish state may soon be required to denounce undocumented migrants to the police.
euobserver.com
November 28, 2024 at 9:40 AM
"Part of the stated objective is to make it more difficult to live in Sweden without a permit, as well as enforce refusal-of-entry or expulsion orders," @nikolajnielsen.bsky.social reports for @euobserver.com.
[Gift article]
[Gift article]
If health care, schools and social services look to be exempted, it's largely thanks to mobilisation from teachers, doctors, librarians, trade unions and civil society like Civil Rights Defenders, @lakareivarlden.bsky.social, Swedish Red Cross @ulrikamodeer.bsky.social & others. Battle hasn't ended.
Sweden unveils blueprint for obliging public sector workers to denounce undocumented migrants - PICUM
On 26th November 2024, the Swedish government presented the findings of a public inquiry outlining how a potential new law could oblige some public sector workers to denounce undocumented people they ...
picum.org
November 28, 2024 at 4:56 PM
If health care, schools and social services look to be exempted, it's largely thanks to mobilisation from teachers, doctors, librarians, trade unions and civil society like Civil Rights Defenders, @lakareivarlden.bsky.social, Swedish Red Cross @ulrikamodeer.bsky.social & others. Battle hasn't ended.