ROME – In response to a recent surge in migrant arrivals, the Italian government has enacted comprehensive measures aimed at prolonging detention periods and enhancing repatriation procedures for individuals lacking legal rights to remain in the country. These decisive actions come on the heels of nearly 10,000 migrants reaching the southern Italian island of Lampedusa last week, posing a significant challenge to the credibility of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who took office with a promise to curtail illegal immigration in the nation.
Prime Minister Meloni, addressing her cabinet on this pressing issue, advocated for the extension of the detention period for migrants awaiting repatriation from the current three months to an initial six months, with the possibility of an extension of up to 18 months. She emphasized that this extended timeframe is necessary not only for thorough assessments but also to facilitate the repatriation process for those individuals who do not qualify for international protection.
Government sources have confirmed the approval of this measure by the cabinet, along with the establishment of additional detention centers in remote regions of the country. Meloni asserted that Italy must bolster the capacity of these facilities, which have been compromised due to what she termed “years of immigrationist policies.”
Under Italian law, migrants slated for repatriation can be detained when immediate expulsion is not feasible. Officials contend that a significant majority of migrants come to Italy for economic reasons and thus do not meet the criteria for asylum.
In an attempt to address this escalating situation, Meloni, joined by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, visited Lampedusa on Sunday. President von der Leyen pledged a comprehensive 10-point EU action plan, though it bears resemblance to past initiatives that have yielded limited results. An agreement between the EU and Tunisia, a key departure point for many migrants, reached in July, has yet to be implemented.
This year, Italy has witnessed the arrival of nearly 130,000 migrants, nearly double the figure for the same period in 2022. Migrants hailing from various countries, including Pakistan, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Egypt, Burkina Faso, and Bangladesh, have sought refuge on Italian shores.
By Reuters
