Wow - even Morocco doesn't want illegals
Morocco has arrested 256 illegal migrants in the past four days, state media reported on Friday as the kingdom cracks down on people trying to reach Europe. Authorities in several cities have detained 247 sub-Saharan Africans, five Bangladeshis and one Algerian, said official news agency MAP quoting the Interior Ministry. Three Moroccans were also arrested, the agency said. Thousands of people risk their lives every year trying to reach Europe on rickety boats. Many die. Morocco is a favoured jumping-off point for illegal migrants, the majority of them from sub-Saharan Africa, partly because the straits separating it from Spain are 12 miles wide at their narrowest point. Under pressure from the EU, north African governments have stepped up efforts in recent months to prevent would-be migrants crossing their territories to reach Europe, in particular Spain and Italy. |