Italy's Controversial Asylum Policy Faces Judicial Hurdles

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is steadfast in her controversial plan to process asylum applications outside the European Union, specifically in Albania. Despite a recent setback from the European Court of Justice, which deemed the expansion of the list of 'safe' countries illegal, Meloni's government is determined to pursue the project. The Italian Interior Minister, Matteo Piantedosi, announced plans to appeal the court's decision, highlighting the government's commitment to curbing illegal immigration.

The initiative faced a significant blow when a Rome court ordered the return of migrants previously deported to Albania. This decision was based on the European ruling, which narrowed the criteria for 'safe' countries, excluding many from where Italy receives migrants. The initial batch of deported individuals, mostly from Bangladesh and Egypt, returned to Italy, exposing the flaws in the government's strategy.

The plan's failure underscores several challenges, including legal constraints and logistical inefficiencies. Judicial rulings have significantly limited the pool of migrants eligible for expedited asylum processing. The project, which aimed to demonstrate that Italy could quickly process and refuse asylum requests, is now under scrutiny, and its viability is questioned.

Despite the setback, Meloni's administration is not conceding defeat. A new council meeting is scheduled to devise legal strategies to overcome these obstacles. The government insists that this is only the beginning of a broader effort to reform immigration policies across the EU by 2026, under the new Immigration Pact.

The core of the issue lies in defining 'safe' countries for asylum processing. Recent court decisions have challenged Italy's criteria, casting doubt on the sustainability of the current approach. As it stands, the government can only deport migrants from a limited number of countries, potentially undermining the entire model.