Italy’s appeals court has refused to approve the expedited expulsion of 43 asylum seekers detained in Albania, dealing another setback to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s controversial migration agreement.
The migrants, whose asylum applications had already been rejected, will now be returned to Italy after the government’s third failed attempt to process asylum seekers outside European Union borders. The decision marks another legal challenge for Meloni’s administration, which has been facing resistance from the judiciary over its immigration policies.
Legal Dispute Moves to European Court
The appeals court in Rome has referred the case to the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, which is set to issue a ruling on February 25 regarding previous similar cases. Lower courts have already blocked the expulsion of smaller groups of migrants, questioning the legality of repatriating asylum seekers to third countries deemed “safe” by the Italian government.
The latest ruling highlights growing tensions between Meloni’s government and the Italian judiciary. The divide widened further after the recent deportation of a Libyan warlord, who had been arrested in Italy under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for alleged crimes against humanity.
Meloni’s Migration Plan Faces Resistance
Italy’s migration deal with Albania, signed last year, is part of Meloni’s broader strategy to curb illegal migration. The five-year agreement aims to process up to 3,000 migrants per month in Albania, rather than in Italy. However, the policy has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups, while some European nations have expressed interest in adopting similar measures.
The 43 migrants affected by the latest court ruling were among a group of 49 asylum seekers transported to Albania by an Italian naval ship on Tuesday. According to Italian media reports, they originated from Bangladesh, Egypt, Ivory Coast, and Gambia.
Rising Migrant Arrivals in Italy
Despite efforts to tighten immigration controls, Italy continues to experience a surge in arrivals. By January 27, a total of 3,704 migrants had reached Italian shores—more than double the number recorded during the same period last year.
With the European Court of Justice set to weigh in next month, the fate of Italy’s migration agreement with Albania remains uncertain. The ruling could have significant implications for Meloni’s immigration policies and the broader European approach to handling asylum seekers outside EU borders.
