European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has indicated that the European Union (EU) can learn from Italy’s controversial strategy of processing migrants offshore, particularly in Albania, as leaders from the 27 EU member states convene for a summit focused on migration. In anticipation of the summit, she communicated to EU officials her intention to introduce new legislation to enhance deportations of migrants. This comes on the heels of Italy’s recent decision to begin transferring migrants to an Albanian processing center, with an initial group of sixteen men sent to the port city of Shengjin. However, complications arose upon their arrival, as it was revealed that two of the migrants were minors and two were medically vulnerable, necessitating their return to Italy.
The current context of rising migration pressures across Europe has prompted various member states to explore alternative methods for processing migrants, including considering third-country options. For example, the Dutch government has begun contemplating a plan to send rejected asylum seekers to Uganda. As the summit emphasizes the migration issue, von der Leyen appears to be responding to heightened concerns from multiple European nations regarding migrant management. She pointed out that the return rate of irregular migrants remains alarmingly low at approximately 20%, meaning most individuals ordered to leave have not been effectively deported. She urged member states to recognize return decisions made by any EU country, asserting that migrants should not be able to exploit discrepancies within the system to evade deportation.
Italy’s scheme entails sending certain migrants rescued from the Mediterranean to Albania, where their asylum applications will be processed. The two processing centers established under this agreement, planned with a budget of €650 million, are set to operate under Italian law while accommodating the migrants. Notably, the scheme specifically excludes pregnant women, children, and other vulnerable individuals. Political opposition to this plan has emerged, particularly from critics of Italy’s right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, with dissenting voices labeling the Albania initiative as “cruel, useless, and expensive.” NGOs, including Doctors Without Borders, have echoed concerns, suggesting that the policy may lead to increased harm and human rights violations.
Despite the backlash, Prime Minister Meloni defended the Albania arrangement as a “new, courageous, unprecedented path” embodying the European spirit. The implications and outcomes of this initiative will be closely scrutinized by other EU states grappling with surging support for far-right parties, which has driven a more hardline stance on immigration policies. Within weeks of the Albania deal, other nations have taken steps to tighten migration controls; for instance, Germany reintroduced land border checks, while France announced intentions to enhance immigration laws, reflecting a broader trend of rising anti-immigrant rhetoric across Europe.
Recent violent incidents have intensified the immigration debate in several countries. A Syrian man who had previously failed to secure asylum was responsible for a stabbing spree that claimed three lives in Germany. In France, a young student was murdered by a Moroccan national, who had also received an expulsion order that was never carried out. These tragedies have ignited calls within France and Germany for stricter immigration measures and reflect the urgency of addressing irregular migration and processing inefficiencies.
In light of these mounting pressures, a coalition of fifteen EU member states has rallied behind a proposal from Austria and the Netherlands aiming to refine the deportation system’s effectiveness. Germany, France, Poland, and other nations are increasingly adopting tougher approaches in response to both public sentiment and unsettling incidents involving migrants. This collective shift indicates broader unification among EU countries motivated by a desire to collaboratively face the growing challenges associated with migration, even amidst differences in political ideology and strategy. As the EU summit continues, the discourse surrounding migration is poised to play a critical role in shaping future policies and responses across the continent.
