South Asians Taking Risky Route to Europe: Via Africa

The tide of illegal immigrants from West Africa to Spain’s Canary Islands has resumed, yet the ethnicity of recent passengers surprise authorities. South Asians attempting to enter Europe have long taken land passages, but are increasingly becoming customers of the poorly made fishing boats that ferry thousands from Africa to Spain each year. Decreased barriers to travel between South Asia and African states enable the new migratory patterns; some analysts also speculate that media coverage of the African route spurred interest. Many of the migrants from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan or Myanmar sign up for the voyage unaware of the dangers; approximately 6000 people died last year alone. Another challenge for immigration authorities – refugees often hide their national identities, and the increasing diversity complicates deportation.– YaleGlobal