Italian Prime Minister Meloni has unveiled a series of measures in response to the recent crisis on Lampedusa, an island closer to Tunisia than to the Italian mainland, where nearly 7,000 irregular migrants arrived last week, surpassing the island’s resident population.
The Italian government, grappling with a surge in irregular migrant arrivals, has enacted measures to extend the duration of their detention and enhance the repatriation of individuals lacking legal authorization to stay in the country, according to government officials.
This development comes on the heels of an influx of almost 10,000 asylum seekers to the southern Italian island of Lampedusa last week, posing a significant challenge to the credibility of right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who assumed office last year with a pledge to curb illegal immigration.
Addressing the cabinet meeting convened to discuss the situation, Meloni proposed that irregular refugees awaiting repatriation should be detained initially for six months, with the possibility of extending this period up to 18 months, compared to the current three-month limit.
Meloni stated, “This extended duration is essential not only for conducting necessary assessments but also for facilitating the repatriation of those who do not qualify for international protection.”
Government sources reported that the cabinet swiftly approved this proposal and endorsed the establishment of additional detention facilities in remote areas.
Meloni emphasized the need to bolster the capacity of these facilities, asserting that they had been compromised by “years of immigration policies.”
Italian law allows for the detention of irregular refugees awaiting repatriation when immediate expulsion is not feasible. Authorities point out that the majority of migrants come to Italy for economic reasons, rendering them ineligible for asylum.
Historical attempts to detain migrants have been largely unsuccessful, with detainees frequently escaping from these centers and often traveling to wealthier northern European countries.
Meloni, along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, visited Lampedusa on Sunday and announced a 10-point EU action plan. However, these measures appear to resemble previous initiatives that failed to produce significant results.
An agreement reached in July between the EU and Tunisia, a departure point for many migrants, has yet to be implemented.
Government data indicates that nearly 130,000 illegal migrants have arrived in Italy this year, nearly double the figure for the same period in 2022. These asylum seekers come from various countries, including Guinea, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Egypt, Burkina Faso, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
The government’s latest efforts to mitigate the migrant influx have faced criticism from the opposition and human rights organizations.
The Italian Coalition for Civil Rights and Liberties (CILD) described the detention centers as “black holes” where serious violations of fundamental rights occur, noting that they are costly and ineffective.
In April, the Italian parliament approved measures to establish new migrant centers for individuals awaiting asylum application outcomes, as well as additional detention facilities for those facing deportation. The government allocated approximately 20 million euros ($21.3 million) to fund these initiatives over a two-year period.
Source: with agencies