New government crackdown on migrants. Announced last week after the security package was given the green light, the immigration bill received the approval of the Council of Ministers. A text composed of 17 articles, which includes new measures and provisions for the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum.
“Today we were able to maintain another commitment that we had made with the citizens in our centre-right government program, that is, the possibility in the event of a serious threat to public order or national security such as the risk of terrorism but also exceptional migratory pressure to prevent the crossing of Italian territorial waters and to take migrants who are on board those vessels subject to the ban also to third countries. An option that is compatible with the new European rules which, among other things, Italy has contributed to defining”.
Thus the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni regarding the immigration bill approved by the Council of Ministers in a video message released after she landed in Belgium (in Liège) to participate in the informal EU Council in the morning in the castle of Alden Biesen
Among the central measures is the so-called ‘naval blockade’ with the return of the ‘Albania system’, but also stricter requirements for obtaining special protection and the expansion of the crimes for which the judge can decide to expel a migrant. “The borders of Italy are the borders of Europe. Defending them is a duty”, wrote Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi on
Going into detail, the “temporary ban on crossing the limit of territorial waters” is introduced in the event of a serious threat to public order or national security – for 30 days, extendable no later than six months. Migrants on board the boats may also be taken “to third countries other than the one they belong to or come from, with which Italy has stipulated specific agreements or understandings which provide for their assistance, reception or detention in dedicated facilities”. In the case of violation of the blockade, a fine of 10,000 to 50,000 euros is imposed and, if there is recurrence, the confiscation of the ship.
The “joint and several liability” extends “to the user or shipowner and to the owner of the vessel”. It then becomes more difficult to obtain special protection. Four requirements will be necessary: having a regular period of residence of at least five years, a ‘certified’ knowledge of the Italian language, the availability of accommodation that complies with health and hygiene requirements and financial availability similar to that required for family reunification. In 2024 alone, the territorial commissions examined 90 thousand requests for protection, which were rejected in 64% of cases.
Special protection was given in 14% of cases, i.e. to almost 13 thousand people, in addition to those who obtained refugee status or another form of protection, subsidiary protection. Furthermore, the cases in which the judge (with a conviction for serious crimes) can order the expulsion of the foreigner are expanding. From now on, expulsion from Italy will be possible for crimes of violence or threats to a public official, crimes against the family and participation in riots in the CPR. The secretary of +Europa, Riccardo Magi, raises an alarm: in the text, he observes, there is “one thing which, although formulated in an unclear way, seems unprecedented and even unconstitutional, namely a limitation of the inspection powers of parliamentarians within the CPRs. We will strenuously oppose any such attempt, we ask the government to clarify and the presidents of the Chambers to take immediate action to protect parliamentary prerogatives”.
The bill states that “members of the Government and of the national Parliament and their permanent collaborators within the scope of their office can enter the centres, limited to the right to interview foreigners present in the centers who request it”. Harsh criticism from NGOs. “It is revolting to treat men, women and children who flee poverty and persecution as a danger to the State – attacks Sea-Watch Italy – It is cowardly to reject people in countries that persecute them. It is not security, it is inhumanity. We will multiply our efforts to save those who risk their lives at sea”. Along the same lines, Francesca Bocchini of Emergency expresses “concern” about “a further tightening and narrowing of the operational space of non-governmental organizations operating at sea and of the protection of the right to life of migrants in the Central Mediterranean”.
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