South Africa’s Migrants Given ‘Leave by June 30’ as Anti-Immigrant Rallies Explode Into Fear

South Africa’s Migrants Given ‘Leave by June 30’ as Anti-Immigrant Rallies Explode Into Fear

A wave of anti-immigrant protests in South Africa has left migrants terrified, with one campaign group ordering people living in the country illegally to leave by June 30. The growing anger comes as global migration systems buckle under pressure from war, economic hardship, and climate change.

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Across South Africa, marches calling for illegal immigrants to depart have reignited long-held xenophobic sentiment [168390]. Migrants report living in “extreme fear,” saying their legal status offers little protection as rallies spread [168390]. The group March & March, which is leading the protests, has given those in the country illegally until the end of June to leave, though it has not specified what will happen to those who do not comply [168390].

The violence against foreign nationals is “morally and legally wrong,” but the anger around migration is growing more dangerous across the continent, experts warn [145259]. Africa needs a long-term, stable plan for migration, as without it, tensions will keep rising [145259].

The crisis in South Africa reflects a broader global trend. In the European Union, a new migration pact could prevent rejected asylum seekers from reapplying in any other member state [169128]. Critics argue this joint rejection mechanism will push migrants into dangerous, illegal routes, leading to more rights abuses and fatalities [169128]. Separately, the EU has agreed to build detention centers outside its borders and speed up deportations, a move rights groups have compared to the strict immigration policies of former U.S. President Donald Trump [165455][165379][165011].

Meanwhile, the 2026 men’s World Cup is facing visa chaos due to strict U.S. border rules under the second Trump administration [169170]. Referee Omar Artan and officials from Iran have already been affected, threatening to disrupt the tournament before it begins [169170].

South Africa’s migration outcomes are largely determined by the quality of the systems into which migrants enter [169404]. When any one of these systems underperforms, pressures become amplified; when several fail at once, migration becomes politically explosive [169404].

Sources

‘Leave by June 30’: South Africa’s migrants face rising fear #168390Migrants vs. Violence: Can Africa Fix Its Border Crisis? #145259EU’s New Migration Pact: One Rejection Blocks All Claims, Activists Warn #169128EU to build migrant detention centres abroad, speed up deportations #165455EU to build migrant detention centres abroad, speed up deportations #165379EU to Build Detention Centers Abroad, Speed Up Deportations #165011Trump’s Border Rules Hit World Cup 2026: Referees, Officials Face Visa Chaos #169170Migration System Failure Could Explode South Africa #169404

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‘Leave by June 30’: Anti-Migrant Rallies Spread Fear Across South Africa

African migrants in South Africa say their legal status offers little protection as a wave of anti-immigrant rallies spreads fear across the country [168390]. Marches calling for illegal immigrants to leave have reignited long-held xenophobic sentiment, according to migrants who report living in “extreme fear” [168390].

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