Italy Rejects Albanian Migrant Deal, Stalling Asylum-Seeker Exodus
2 months ago

Italy Rejects Albanian Migrant Deal, Stalling Asylum-Seeker Exodus

China Daily  

Italy's government has made a fresh legislative effort to get its migration pact with Albania into operation after a court ruling scuppered the move. The agreement, which would have seen Italian-built and funded detention camps put up in Albania, where asylum-seekers would be sent while their applications were processed, was scrapped by a court in Rome due to concerns about the safety of countries of origin to which asylum-seekers might be sent back. The Italian government has now approved a new decree that allows for a list of safe countries to be updated every six months, and also permits a court of appeal to look again at rulings that send asylum-seekers back to Italy.

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History of this topic

Albanians abroad will vote for the first time in parliamentary elections set for May
2 weeks, 4 days ago

Albanians abroad will vote for the first time in parliamentary elections set for May

Associated Press  

TIRANA, Albania — Albania’s president on Thursday set May 11 as the date for the country’s next parliamentary election, and Albanians living in other countries will for the first time be able to cast ballots from overseas. Albania’s number of potential voters is 3.6 million even though the small Balkan country’s current population is no more than 2.4 million. Albania’s …

Italy’s Meloni and Hungary’s Orbán pledge deeper cooperation on migration and Ukraine
2 weeks, 4 days ago

Italy’s Meloni and Hungary’s Orbán pledge deeper cooperation on migration and Ukraine

Associated Press  

ROME — Italy’s Premier Giorgia Meloni met her Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orbán on Wednesday in Rome, where the two discussed the situation in the Middle East, their support for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and their commitment to the eastern country’s reconstruction. The two far-right leaders also discussed the Middle East conflict, support for a peaceful resolution in …

Italy blocks over 3,300 work permits, cracks down on mafia-owned migrant trafficking ring
3 weeks, 4 days ago

Italy blocks over 3,300 work permits, cracks down on mafia-owned migrant trafficking ring

Firstpost  

The crackdown is in line with the broader agenda of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government, which has prioritised efforts to combat human trafficking and irregular migration Italian police said Thursday they had blocked and revoked 3,339 applications for non-EU workers as part of an investigation into migrant smuggling by organised crime. The false requests for hiring non-EU labourers were …

Italy moves to replace courts that ruled against its migrant detentions
1 month ago

Italy moves to replace courts that ruled against its migrant detentions

Hindustan Times  

By Angelo Amante Italy moves to replace courts that ruled against its migrant detentions ROME, - Italy's right-wing coalition has passed rules to change the courts responsible for validating the detention of migrants, in what the opposition said was a vendetta against judges who recently blocked a plan to send asylum seekers to Albania. The move comes against a backdrop …

Is Italy's plan to outsource migrant crisis to Albania falling through?
1 month, 1 week ago

Is Italy's plan to outsource migrant crisis to Albania falling through?

Firstpost  

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni’s plan to process asylum seekers in Albania has faced a setback as a Rome court has declined to detained transferred migrants, leading to their return to Italy and raising legal questions about the safety of their home countries Migrants disembark from the Italian navy ship Libra at the port of Shengjin, northwestern Albania, Friday, Nov. 8, …

Court ruling is setback for Italy’s plan to send asylum seekers to Albania
1 month, 1 week ago

Court ruling is setback for Italy’s plan to send asylum seekers to Albania

Al Jazeera  

Under the deal, people from ‘safe’ countries are to be held in Albania while their claims for asylum are processed. Seven asylum seekers have been sent back to Italy from Albania after a court in Rome refused a formal request to detain them in the Balkan nation, a setback for a contentious programme championed by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. …

Italy’s plan to screen migrants in Albania hits another snag with 2nd group returning to Italy
1 month, 1 week ago

Italy’s plan to screen migrants in Albania hits another snag with 2nd group returning to Italy

Associated Press  

MILAN — Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni’s program to screen asylum seekers outside of European Union borders in Albania hit another snag when a court in Rome refused to rule on a formal request to detain seven migrants transferred to the Balkan nation last week. It is a repeat of what happened with the first 12 migrants in the program, who …

Italian judges again block detention of migrants in Albania
1 month, 1 week ago

Italian judges again block detention of migrants in Albania

Hindustan Times  

ROME -A Rome court on Monday asked EU judges to weigh in on the detention of sea migrants in Albania, again frustrating the Italian right-wing government's efforts to pursue its flagship plan to crackdown on irregular arrivals. Italian judges again block detention of migrants in Albania Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has built migrant camps in Albania to deter Mediterranean crossings, …

Italy’s plan to screen migrants in Albania hits another snag
1 month, 1 week ago

Italy’s plan to screen migrants in Albania hits another snag

LA Times  

Migrants disembark from the Italian navy ship Libra at the port of Shengjin in northwestern Albania on Friday. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni’s program to screen asylum seekers outside of European Union borders in Albania hit another snag on Monday when a court in Rome refused to rule on a formal request to detain seven migrants transferred to the Balkan nation …

One of 8 migrants deemed vulnerable returns to Italy from Albania
1 month, 2 weeks ago

One of 8 migrants deemed vulnerable returns to Italy from Albania

Firstpost  

The agreement between Italy and Albania allows up to 3,000 migrants intercepted by the Italian coast guard in international waters each month to be sheltered in Albania, and vetted for possible asylum in Italy or be sent back to their countries. This group represents the second transfer of migrants since the processing centers began operating in October, as part of …

Italy sends another 8 migrants to Albania, despite failing to process the first group
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Italy sends another 8 migrants to Albania, despite failing to process the first group

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The naval ship Libra, which can carry 200 people …

Italian ship takes migrants to Albania in 2nd test of deal to process claims outside the EU
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Italian ship takes migrants to Albania in 2nd test of deal to process claims outside the EU

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

EU stays on the sidelines over migrant deal between Italy and Albania
1 month, 4 weeks ago

EU stays on the sidelines over migrant deal between Italy and Albania

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. European Commission President Ursula von …

Why Italy is squarely at the heart of an immigration debate roiling Europe
2 months ago

Why Italy is squarely at the heart of an immigration debate roiling Europe

NPR  

Why Italy is squarely at the heart of an immigration debate roiling Europe Italy's right wing government insists it will continue to process migrant arrivals from North Africa in detention centers in neighboring Albania — despite a court decision that sent individuals back. A MARTÍNEZ, HOST: Italy's right-wing government has passed a new law so it can proceed with plans …

Italy hopes to save Albania migrant plan
2 months ago

Italy hopes to save Albania migrant plan

China Daily  

By JULIAN SHEA in London | China Daily Global | Updated: 2024-10-23 09:26 People on a fishing boat move past an Italian coast guard vessel that arrived to transfer migrants, who were intercepted at sea and later detained at a reception facility in Albania, before being returned to Italy after a court in Rome overturned their detention orders, in Shengjin, …

Italy's Migration Policy Under Fire as Court Objects to Asylum Plan for Albania
2 months ago

Italy's Migration Policy Under Fire as Court Objects to Asylum Plan for Albania

Live Mint  

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has vowed to push ahead with a controversial plan to send asylum seekers to Albania after a court in Rome raised objections. The court ruled against the government's plan to detain 12 migrants at newly opened centers in the Balkan country, arguing that it's impossible to recognize the detainees' countries of origin as

Italy Set to Adopt Decree to Override Court Objections on Albanian Migrant Camps
2 months ago

Italy Set to Adopt Decree to Override Court Objections on Albanian Migrant Camps

Hindustan Times  

Italy is set to adopt a decree to overturn court objections on its plan to set up migrant detention camps in Albania. The plan was initially undermined by a Rome court ruling that deemed the first batch of migrants brought to Albania as unsafe due to their countries of origin. The Italian government plans to upgrade the legal status of …

First migrants sent to Albania for processing are returned to Italy
2 months ago

First migrants sent to Albania for processing are returned to Italy

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Albania will intake Italy’s asylum seekers, as a gesture of gratitude, but not other EU countries, PM says
2 months, 1 week ago

Albania will intake Italy’s asylum seekers, as a gesture of gratitude, but not other EU countries, PM says

LA Times  

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama attends a news conference following the second intergovernmental EU-Albania conference in Luxembourg on Tuesday. Albania’s prime minister on Tuesday said his government had turned down many requests from other European Union countries to take in thousands of asylum seekers but made an exception for Italy. An Italian navy ship was expected to dock at the …

Inside Italy's newly opened migrant centres in Albania where refugees will be sent after being intercepted in the Med under plan by Meloni's hard right government
2 months, 1 week ago

Inside Italy's newly opened migrant centres in Albania where refugees will be sent after being intercepted in the Med under plan by Meloni's hard right government

Daily Mail  

Italy's government formally opened two new migrant centres in Albania where refugees will be sent after being intercepted in the Med under a plan by Meloni's hard right government. This aerial photo shows the site of a recently built Italian-run migrant centre at the port of Shengjin, Albania, on October 11 The centres will be used to hold male migrants …

Independent readers question Italy’s Albania scheme – but still want Starmer to act on migration
3 months ago

Independent readers question Italy’s Albania scheme – but still want Starmer to act on migration

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Sir Keir Starmer …

Keir Starmer eyes Italy’s Albania deal, but should the UK outsource its migration crisis? Join The Independent Debate
3 months ago

Keir Starmer eyes Italy’s Albania deal, but should the UK outsource its migration crisis? Join The Independent Debate

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} With the Conservative …

Migration on agenda as Starmer visits Rome
3 months ago

Migration on agenda as Starmer visits Rome

China Daily  

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer shake hands at a press conference at Villa Doria Pamphilj in Rome, Italy on Sept 16. United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer says he is "interested" in finding out more about Italy's migration control plans, including one for the temporary holding of migrants in Albania, ahead of a visit …

Giorgia Meloni’s Albania migrant deal won’t work here
3 months, 1 week ago

Giorgia Meloni’s Albania migrant deal won’t work here

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Just like any curious Englishman on …

Why Italy can do what Britain cannot with migration
3 months, 1 week ago

Why Italy can do what Britain cannot with migration

The Telegraph  

Albania is legally closer to Europe than Rwanda While it is expected the vast majority of claims will be rejected, any migrant making a successful claim from Albania will be allowed into Italy. “The preliminary assessment by our legal service is that this is not violating EU law, it’s outside EU law,” said Ylva Johansson, the European Commissioner for Home …

Starmer open to offshoring asylum seekers to Albania like Italian scheme
3 months, 1 week ago

Starmer open to offshoring asylum seekers to Albania like Italian scheme

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Keir Starmer is …

Italy thinks 'outside box' as Albania camp opens
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Italy thinks 'outside box' as Albania camp opens

China Daily  

This aerial view shows a main compound of the future Italian-run migrant centre in the port of Shengjin, Albania on July 29. "Italian and European legislation will be applied in these centers," Fabrizio Bucci, Italy's ambassador in Albania, told the BBC. The five-year agreement between Italy and Albania includes an option to extend the term, contingent on its effectiveness in …

Italy thinks 'outside box' as Albania camp opens
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Italy thinks 'outside box' as Albania camp opens

China Daily  

This aerial view shows a main compound of the future Italian-run migrant centre in the port of Shengjin, Albania on July 29. "Italian and European legislation will be applied in these centers," Fabrizio Bucci, Italy's ambassador in Albania, told the BBC. The five-year agreement between Italy and Albania includes an option to extend the term, contingent on its effectiveness in …

Italy confirms construction delays in Albania will push back opening of migrant processing centers
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Italy confirms construction delays in Albania will push back opening of migrant processing centers

Associated Press  

ROME — Italian officials confirmed that Italy’s controversial new migrant processing centers in Albania, o riginally scheduled to open Thursday, won’t be operational for several more weeks because of construction delays. An Italian interior ministry spokesman confirmed that Mantovano’s assessment of a weekslong delay, first made on the sidelines of a July 24 conference, remained accurate Thursday when the centers …

From August, migrants seeking refuge in Italy could be taken to Albania pending asylum decisions
4 months, 3 weeks ago

From August, migrants seeking refuge in Italy could be taken to Albania pending asylum decisions

Associated Press  

GJADER, Albania — Migrants rescued at sea while attempting to reach Italy may see themselves transported to Albania beginning next month while their asylum claims are processed, under a controversial deal in which the small Balkan country will host thousands of asylum-seekers on Italy’s behalf. Speaking during a visit to Albania in June, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the …

Italy’s premier visits Albania as controversial plan to hold Italy-bound migrants nears its start
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Italy’s premier visits Albania as controversial plan to hold Italy-bound migrants nears its start

Associated Press  

SHENGJIN, Albania — Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni traveled to Albania on Wednesday to thank its government for its unique role in agreeing to host thousands of asylum-seekers while Italy processes their claims, and to tour migrant centers she said will be ready in August. Meloni and Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama in November signed a five-year deal in which Albania …

Italy’s premier visits Albania as plan to hold Italy-bound migrants nears its start
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Italy’s premier visits Albania as plan to hold Italy-bound migrants nears its start

LA Times  

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni traveled to Albania on Wednesday to thank its government for its unique role in agreeing to host thousands of asylum-seekers while Italy processes their claims, and to tour migrant centers she said will be ready in August. Meloni and Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama in November signed a five-year deal in which Albania agreed to shelter …

UK’s Cameron praises progress in joint effort with Albania to stop illegal migration
7 months ago

UK’s Cameron praises progress in joint effort with Albania to stop illegal migration

Associated Press  

TIRANA, Albania — British Foreign Secretary David Cameron hailed progress in a U.K.-Albania joint effort to cut illegal migration, saying small boat arrivals from Albania to the U.K. fell by over 90% in 2023 as the two countries fought people smuggling gangs, according to a Foreign Office statement. The statement said “the partnership between the U.K. and Albania stands out …

Albania installs British-funded cameras along its border to stem flow of migrants, criminal gangs
7 months, 1 week ago

Albania installs British-funded cameras along its border to stem flow of migrants, criminal gangs

Associated Press  

TIRANA, Albania — Albania has installed a “sophisticated” network of cameras along its border with Kosovo, supplied by the British government in an attempt to stem the number of migrants flowing into the United Kingdom and to track criminal activity in the region, the U.K. home office said Wednesday. Top British officials had called Albanians’ arrivals “an invasion,” sparking a …

The EU is watching Albania's deal to hold asylum seekers for Italy. Rights activists are worried
10 months ago

The EU is watching Albania's deal to hold asylum seekers for Italy. Rights activists are worried

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Albania has agreed to host …

The EU is watching Albania’s deal to hold asylum seekers for Italy. Rights activists are worried
10 months ago

The EU is watching Albania’s deal to hold asylum seekers for Italy. Rights activists are worried

Associated Press  

MILAN — Albania has agreed to host two migrant processing centers on its territory that will be fully run by Italy, under a deal that worries many human rights activists. In January Italy’s lower chamber of parliament approved the novel deal with non-EU member Albania, followed a month later by the Senate. WHAT’S KNOWN ABOUT THE DEAL Under a five-year …

Albanian Parliament approves controversial deal to hold migrants for Italy
10 months ago

Albanian Parliament approves controversial deal to hold migrants for Italy

Associated Press  

TIRANA, Albania — Albania’s Parliament voted Thursday to approve a deal for the country to hold thousands of asylum seekers for Italy, despite protests from opposition lawmakers and human rights groups. The agreement, signed in November between Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, is part of Meloni’s efforts to share the burden of addressing migration with …

Albania approves contested deal to hold asylum seekers for Italy
10 months ago

Albania approves contested deal to hold asylum seekers for Italy

Al Jazeera  

Rights groups criticise agreement that could see up to 36,000 people a year held in Italian-run asylum-processing centres. Albania’s Parliament has approved a deal signed with Italy that will see authorities hold thousands of asylum seekers rescued in international waters while their applications are processed, drawing criticism from human rights groups. Under the agreement, Albania would hold up to 3,000 …

Italy’s upper chamber gives final OK to deal with Albania to house migrants during asylum process
10 months, 1 week ago

Italy’s upper chamber gives final OK to deal with Albania to house migrants during asylum process

Associated Press  

ROME — The Italian Senate on Thursday gave final approval to a controversial agreement with Albania to house migrants during the processing of their asylum requests, part of the government’s effort to share the migration burden with the rest of Europe. Under the five-year deal, Albania would shelter up to 3,000 migrants at a time in two centers while Italy …

Albania’s Constitutional Court says migration deal with Italy can go ahead if approved
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Albania’s Constitutional Court says migration deal with Italy can go ahead if approved

Associated Press  

TIRANA, Albania — Albania’s Constitutional Court on Monday said a deal can go ahead with Italy under which thousands of migrants rescued at sea by Italian authorities would be sent to Albania while their asylum applications are processed. Under the deal, two centers will be set up in Albania to process asylum applications by people rescued by Italian authorities in …

Italy’s lower chamber of parliament OKs deal with Albania to house migrants during asylum processing
10 months, 4 weeks ago

Italy’s lower chamber of parliament OKs deal with Albania to house migrants during asylum processing

Associated Press  

ROME — Italy’s lower chamber of parliament on Wednesday approved a novel government deal with Albania to house migrants during the processing of their asylum requests, a cornerstone of Premier Giorgia Meloni’s efforts to share the migration burden with the rest of Europe. Meloni and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama announced the groundbreaking initiative last November, in which Albania would …

Top EU official lauds Italy-Albania migration deal but a court and a rights commissioner have doubts
1 year ago

Top EU official lauds Italy-Albania migration deal but a court and a rights commissioner have doubts

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — A top European Union official has endorsed an agreement that would see Albania host thousands of migrants picked up at sea and transferred there by the Italian authorities, just as the Albanian Constitutional Court delayed the deal so legal concerns can be addressed. In a letter to EU leaders, meeting Thursday in Brussels, European Commission President Ursula von …

Albania’s Constitutional Court blocks Parliament’s ratification of deal with Italy on migrants
1 year ago

Albania’s Constitutional Court blocks Parliament’s ratification of deal with Italy on migrants

Associated Press  

TIRANA, Albania — Albania’s Constitutional Court on Wednesday blocked, at least temporarily, the ratification by lawmakers of a contentious deal that Tirana signed with Rome to process asylum applications of some migrants arriving in Italy by sea in Albania instead. The court’s chief judge, Olta Zacaj, said the court would hold a public hearing on Jan. 18 to determine whether …

Albania’s opposition speaks up at the Constitutional Court against ratifying migrant deal with Italy
1 year ago

Albania’s opposition speaks up at the Constitutional Court against ratifying migrant deal with Italy

Associated Press  

TIRANA, Albania — The opposition in Albania on Wednesday spoke up at the Constitutional Court against the ratification of a contentious deal the government has signed with Italy to jointly process some asylum applications of migrants arriving in Italy by sea. Last month, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni announced a five-year deal in which Albania …

Albania proposes a draft law on a contentious deal with Italy to jointly process asylum applications
1 year, 1 month ago

Albania proposes a draft law on a contentious deal with Italy to jointly process asylum applications

Associated Press  

TIRANA, Albania — The Albanian government on Wednesday put forth a draft law on a contentious deal with Italy to jointly process some asylum applications of migrants arriving in Italy by sea. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni earlier this month announced a five-year deal in which Albania agreed to temporarily shelter up to 36,000 migrants …

Germany looking at Italy's migrant deal with Albania
1 year, 1 month ago

Germany looking at Italy's migrant deal with Albania

Firstpost  

Rome and Albania reached a consensus on Monday to construct two camps for the reception and detention of sea migrants In an effort by the European Union to stop illegal immigration, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hinted on Saturday that he was willing to examine Italy’s agreement to detain migrants in Albania. He told reporters during a briefing in Malaga, Spain, …

Albania’s deal with Italy on migrants has been welcomed by many. But others are confused and angry
1 year, 1 month ago

Albania’s deal with Italy on migrants has been welcomed by many. But others are confused and angry

Associated Press  

SHENGJIN, Albania — When the leaders of Albania and Italy announced a contentious agreement earlier this week to jointly process some asylum applications of migrants arriving by sea, some in the Western Balkans country saw it as reciprocation. Italy had welcomed thousands of Albanians fleeing poverty after the fall of communism more than three decades ago, and Albania’s current government …

Migration experts say Italy’s deal to have Albania house asylum-seekers follows worrying trend
1 year, 1 month ago

Migration experts say Italy’s deal to have Albania house asylum-seekers follows worrying trend

Associated Press  

MILAN — Migration experts and activists on Tuesday panned an agreement between Italy and Albania that would direct thousands of migrants to the Balkan nation while their asylum applications are under review, saying it follows a worrying trend of European Union nations trying to manage migration by looking beyond the bloc’s borders. The European Commission, which supervises the application of …

Migration experts say Italy's deal to have Albania house asylum-seekers violates international law
1 year, 1 month ago

Migration experts say Italy's deal to have Albania house asylum-seekers violates international law

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Migration experts and activists on …

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