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Italy’s government has approved a controversial decree that broadens the use of two centres in Albania for deporting migrants who have had their asylum requests rejected. This decision comes as part of Italy’s ongoing efforts to address migration challenges. The new plan will now allow migrants from Italy, who have been denied asylum and given formal deportation orders, to be transferred to these centres in Albania.

Repurposing Centres Originally Built for Rescue Operations

The two Albanian centres, which were originally established in October to process migrants rescued at sea, will now be redefined under the new decree. Authorities intend to repurpose these facilities into repatriation hubs. The move has sparked debate, with critics questioning the legality and ethical implications of the decision.

The centres were initially built to handle migrants rescued in international waters. However, after opening, they faced delays and legal challenges. These facilities have largely remained inactive since their construction, with legal complications and human rights concerns delaying their operation. Critics argue that the use of these centres for deportations might violate international law and could jeopardize the rights of migrants. Despite these concerns, the Italian government has pushed forward with the new plan, which aims to ensure the facilities are put to use and help ease pressure on Italy’s own immigration system.

A Revival of a Dormant Project

The Albanian centres had faced several challenges since their opening. Construction delays and judicial pushback have been significant barriers. In particular, judges in Italy refused to validate the detention of migrants transferred to Albania in October, November, and January. In these instances, the authorities were forced to send the migrants back to Italy shortly after their transfer.

These issues have led to frustrations, as the Italian government invested nearly €800 million over five years in building the centres. While the project was initially intended to assist with migrant processing, delays and legal obstacles had left the facilities largely underused. The new decree aims to revive the initiative by formally reactivating the centres under a new purpose—deportation, rather than processing.

Clarification from Interior Minister Piantedosi

Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi addressed the changes in a press briefing on Friday. He clarified that the decree does not represent a new agreement with Albania. Instead, it updates the law to allow the use of the Gjader centre in Albania for migrants already in Italy.

Piantedosi emphasized that this adjustment is designed to prevent the centres from remaining idle, which was a concern for the government. He stressed that the terms of the bilateral agreement between Italy and Albania remain unchanged. The focus of the update, according to Piantedosi, is simply to repurpose the facilities in a manner that aligns with the current needs of Italy’s migration policies.

Aligning with European Commission’s Proposal on Migration

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government has also aligned this new decree with the European Commission’s recent proposal. The EU proposal aims to establish “return hubs” outside the bloc, where deportations of rejected migrants can be managed more efficiently.

Italy hopes that this European framework will provide support for its approach with Albania. According to the European Commission, only about 20% of migrants with deportation orders actually leave EU territory. The new system proposed by the EU would allow any member state to enforce another country’s expulsion orders, thereby streamlining deportation processes across the union.

This move also seeks to address the growing concern over the management of migration in the EU. Last year’s EU migration pact did not include any mechanism for mutual enforcement of deportation orders, and Italy hopes that the inclusion of such a framework in the new proposal will help to manage deportations more effectively.

The Impact of the European Court’s Ruling

As Italy proceeds with its plans to expand the use of the Albanian centres, a key ruling by the European Court of Justice looms. The court is expected to decide on the legality of these centres within the next few months. The ruling, set for this summer, could play a pivotal role in determining whether the centres meet EU legal standards.

If the court rules in favour of Italy’s approach, it would allow the centres to operate as originally intended for rapid processing and deportation. A favorable decision would also likely strengthen the Italian government’s position in future negotiations with the EU and other member states regarding migration management.

Italy Tightens Citizenship Regulations

In a separate but related move, Italy has introduced stricter regulations for granting citizenship by descent. Under the new rules, automatic citizenship is now only available to descendants within two generations of an Italian-born ancestor. Applicants must prove that at least one of their parents or grandparents was born in Italy to qualify for automatic citizenship.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani explained that the new law aims to prevent abuses of the system, such as fraudulent claims for Italian citizenship. Tajani said that while the reform aims to curb misuse, many applicants would still be able to apply through regular procedures, ensuring that the system remains fair.

A Surge in Citizenship Claims from Abroad

The changes to citizenship laws come in response to a growing surge in applications from Italians living abroad. According to government data, the number of Italians living outside the country rose from 4.6 million in 2014 to 6.4 million in 2024. This increase has been accompanied by a 40% rise in overseas citizenship claims over the past decade.

Italy is currently processing over 60,000 unresolved citizenship applications, and officials hope the new rules will help ease the backlog and reduce the potential for fraud. The reform also aims to streamline the process, making it more efficient and less prone to abuse.

Government Faces Backlash Over Migration Policies

Despite the government’s intentions to manage migration more effectively, Italy’s new approach has not been without controversy. Human rights groups and legal experts have criticized the use of Albanian centres for deportations, arguing that it undermines the rights of migrants and could potentially breach international law. The legal and ethical concerns surrounding the centres continue to fuel debates on Italy’s role in Europe’s broader migration crisis.

While the government stands firm in its position, it remains to be seen how the European Court of Justice will rule on the legality of the Albanian centres. The outcome could have significant implications for Italy’s future migration policies and its relationship with the EU.