Italy's Controversial Migration Plan Takes Shape

Shengjin, Albania (October 16, 2024) - A new chapter in Europe's migration crisis unfolded on Wednesday as the first group arrived in Albania under a controversial deal with Italy. The Libra, an Italian navy ship, docked at the port of Shengjin, carrying 16 migrants who will be processed in Albania before potentially being sent back to their home countries.

Speaking in Rome alongside her Albanian counterpart Edi Rama, Meloni hailed the deal as a “European agreement” and an “innovative solution” to curb the rise in Mediterranean Sea crossings from North Africa.

“Mass irregular immigration is a phenomenon that… member states of the European Union cannot deal with alone,” Meloni said at a joint news conference with Rama, adding “cooperation between EU member states and what are, for now, non-EU countries, can play a decisive role.”

Immediate deportation is not allowed inside the EU due to human rights statutes that allow all arrivals to apply for asylum. Because Albania is not an EU member, those rules will not apply.

Italy's plan to divert thousands of asylum seekers to Albania has been met with both support and criticism. While the government argues that the scheme will deter irregular arrivals to Italy and ease the strain on its resources, human rights groups have raised concerns about the impact on migrants' rights.

The plan would allow Italy to skirt the Dublin agreement, which states that the first country in which migrants arrive must care for them and process their cases.

Italy will provide the manpower to process applications, but Albania will provide police for security and surveillance, Meloni said, adding that minors, pregnant women and other vulnerable groups would not be sent to Albania. Few other details about the deal, including its cost, have been revealed.

The arrival of the migrants marks a significant step in Italy's efforts to address the migration crisis. However, it also raises questions about the deal's long-term implications and the potential for similar agreements between other European nations.