Italy has resumed transferring illegal immigrants intercepted in the Mediterranean to asylum centers in Albania, following months of legal delays. On January 26, port officials confirmed that the navy vessel Cassiopea, carrying 49 migrants, is set to dock at the Albanian port of Shengjin by January 28.
The Interior Ministry revealed that another 53 individuals, who “spontaneously presented their passports,” may soon face expedited repatriation if their nationalities are verified. This effort is part of a November 2023 agreement between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama. Under the deal, Italy established two migrant processing centers in Albania, which became operational in October 2024 and can accommodate 3,000 people monthly.
However, these centers have been dogged by controversy and legal pushback. Italian judges rejected the detention of the first groups transferred to Albania, citing a European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling. The court determined that asylum seekers cannot be subject to fast-track deportation if their home countries are deemed unsafe. Consequently, some migrants were sent back to Italy, and further transfers were paused pending ECJ review.
In response, Meloni narrowed the list of “safe countries” from 22 to 19, insisting that the remaining nations met safety standards. Despite this adjustment, judges now assess the safety of each country on a case-by-case basis, complicating the implementation of the policy.
The Italian government has committed €650 million over five years to fund the Albanian centers, yet criticism persists. Human rights advocates and opposition figures argue that the initiative risks undermining asylum protections.
Nevertheless, Meloni remains resolute. She highlighted the broad support from other European leaders and framed the initiative as a bold step toward an immigration strategy that transcends EU borders. By pushing ahead, Meloni underscores her determination to tackle illegal migration despite the hurdles.
