Italy Moves to Tighten Migration Rules

Italy’s hard-right government has proposed stricter migration measures, including granting ministers the authority to block sea arrivals under what it describes as exceptional circumstances.

The draft bill, approved on Wednesday by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s cabinet, would allow a temporary ban on vessels crossing into Italy’s territorial waters in situations deemed a serious threat to public order or national security, according to the text seen by AFP.

The proposal outlines that such threats could involve exceptional migratory pressure capable of undermining border management, credible risks of terrorist infiltration, global health emergencies, or major international events.

Any restriction would require cabinet approval following a recommendation from the interior ministry and could remain in place for an initial 30 days, extendable up to six months.

If passed by parliament, the legislation could also revive Italy’s troubled migrant “return hub” in Albania, which has faced multiple legal setbacks.

The bill provides that migrants aboard vessels barred from entering Italian waters may be transferred to countries that have detention or repatriation agreements with Rome, including Albania.

Meloni, leader of the far-right Brothers of Italy party, won office in 2022 on a pledge to curb irregular migration, particularly the thousands who reach Italian shores annually by small boats.

Her administration has since struck agreements with North African countries aimed at reducing departures and introduced measures tightening regulations on humanitarian rescue groups operating in the Central Mediterranean.

The proposed law is expected to further restrict the activities of non-governmental organisations, although most migrants arriving in Italy are rescued by the coastguard or navy rather than charities.

In addition, the bill seeks to broaden the range of criminal convictions that could result in the expulsion of foreign nationals.

The proposal comes a day after the European Parliament adopted two key measures aimed at tightening EU migration policy, reforms Italy had strongly supported.

Meanwhile, the Central Mediterranean remains one of the world’s deadliest migration routes, with nearly 490 people reported missing this year, according to the United Nations International Organisation for Migration.