Spain Extends Temporary Border Controls at Internal Air and Sea Borders with Italy

What changed

Hong Kong's Immigration Department (ImmD) has started offering enrolment for a new automated clearance service called "collaborative inspection". This marks the official launch of a new combined immigration-clearance system being developed for the redeveloped Huanggang Port, which is on the boundary between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. The ImmD announced on 6 October 2026 that eligible Hong Kong residents can enrol immediately using its HK e-Channel mobile application. There will also be other ways to enrol at Huanggang Port.

What changed

The U.S. Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) has proposed significant revisions to its health documentation forms for unaccompanied alien children, including consolidating existing forms and enhancing data quality. Crucially, the updated request also formalises the sharing of health information, such as active diagnoses, medications, and accommodations, with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) when a child in ORR custody is identified for repatriation. These changes aim to improve continuity of care, reduce administrative burden, and align with ORR requirements, with public comments invited until 4 November 2026.

What changed

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has decided to set aside certain federal, state, and other legal requirements related to the environment and land use in New Mexico. This action, which started on 2 October 2026, aims to allow for the swift construction of physical barriers and roads in a specific part of the U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector. This measure directly helps to speed up border security building projects by overriding legal rules that might otherwise cause delays.

What changed

The European Union Council of Interior and Migration Ministers has given broad support to Greece's initiative to make a European Emergency Mechanism a formal part of the system. This mechanism is designed to handle what's called 'instrumentalised migratory pressure' at the EU's external borders. This means when migrant flows are used as a form of 'hybrid threat'. If activated, which would be triggered by clear conditions like a rapid increase in arrivals and local facilities becoming overwhelmed, it would allow for asylum applications to be temporarily paused, quicker return procedures to be used, and direct operational help from Frontex. The goal is to strengthen both the practical and legal protection for member states facing these challenges.