The first 12 migrants that Italy sent to a newly opened asylum processing center in Shengjin, Albania, disembark in the port of Bari, in southern Italy, where they are taken back by an Italian Coast Guard ship, Saturday. [Valeria Ferraro/AP Photo]
Italy’s government recently approved a new decree to address legal challenges affecting a migration agreement with Albania. The decree, effective immediately, reduces the list of “safe” countries from 22 to 19, allowing for faster repatriation of migrants who do not qualify for asylum. This decision comes after Rome judges rejected the detention of 12 migrants sent to Albania’s reception center due to concerns about their countries of origin.
Despite initial setbacks, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni remains committed to the migration deal with Albania, which aims to process and relocate thousands of migrants each month. Critics argue that the agreement violates international laws, while legal experts caution that conflicts with EU regulations may persist. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, however, maintains that the new decree aligns with EU standards and upcoming regulations.