Italian court halts rapid expulsion of asylum seekers under Meloni's migrant plan
- An Italian appeals court has ruled against the fast-track expulsion of 43 asylum seekers from Albania back to Italy.
- The migrants were part of a larger group of 49 who had been rescued and subsequently transferred to Albania.
- This decision reflects ongoing legal challenges to Meloni's government migration policies and raises questions about the safety and legality of such expulsion strategies.
In Italy, an appeals court on Friday declined to sanction the rapid expulsion of 43 asylum seekers who were recently taken to Albania. This decision marks a significant setback for the far-right government led by Giorgia Meloni, as it represents the third consecutive legal defeat concerning her administration's controversial migration policy aimed at processing asylum applications outside the borders of the European Union. The cases highlight a growing divide between Meloni's government and the judicial system, particularly over issues related to the safety of repatriating individuals whose asylum requests have been denied. The migrants in question were part of a group of 49 individuals rescued in the Mediterranean and subsequently transported to Albania by an Italian naval ship. Upon their arrival in Albania, it was determined that they would be sent back to Italy instead, following the legal ruling from the Roman judges. Earlier attempts to expedite the expulsion of smaller migrant groups faced similar judicial challenges, leading to the court's insistence on consulting the European Court of Justice for clarification on deportation safety, particularly regarding the faith and conditions in the migrants' home countries. In response to the rising number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea, which has surged in 2025, Italy signed an agreement to process a maximum of 3,000 migrants monthly beyond EU borders. While this initiative has garnered scrutiny from human rights activists, it has also intrigued European allies. The ruling not only casts doubt on Meloni's strategy but also points to the increasing tension between her government's promises to combat illegal migration and the realities of international law and human rights protections. The situation has intensified the discourse around migration policies in Italy at a time when arrivals have more than doubled compared to the corresponding period last year. The government's ambition to manage migration outside of EU jurisdiction faces substantial legal challenges and moral questions, making it a crucial issue in Italian and European political landscapes. The referral of the asylum seekers' case to the European Court of Justice suggests ongoing legal disputes are likely, potentially impacting future policy implementations and the broader migrant narrative within Europe.