Italy migrants Albania Meloni Pushes Controversial Relocation Plan

Italy migrants Albania: Italian PM Meloni plans to send asylum seekers to Albanian detention centers despite legal challenges and EU criticism.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is moving ahead with her controversial plan to relocate migrants and asylum seekers to detention centers in Albania, despite facing significant legal challenges and criticism from human rights organizations.

Bilateral Deal Between Italy and Albania

During a summit in Rome alongside Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, Meloni reaffirmed her government’s determination to implement the scheme, which aims to process migrants outside the European Union. Under an agreement approved by the Albanian Parliament in February 2024, Albania agreed to host up to 3,000 migrants at a time in two Italian-managed centers near the port of Shengjin.

The deal envisions migrants being held for approximately one month, with a potential of 36,000 people relocated over an initial five-year period. Screening would initially occur aboard rescue ships before migrants are transferred to Albania for further processing. The centers are intended to operate under Italian law, with Italian security and staff, while Italian courts would handle immigration cases via video link.

Legal Hurdles and Court Challenges

From the outset, Meloni’s plan has faced strong legal opposition. Italian judges have repeatedly blocked deportations, citing that migrants’ countries of origin, such as Egypt and Bangladesh, are not safe enough for repatriation. In line with these challenges, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) confirmed in August 2025 that fast-track deportation procedures cannot be applied if home countries do not meet EU safety standards.

The ECJ clarified that while Italy can determine which countries it considers “safe,” such classifications must meet strict legal requirements and allow migrants and courts to review the evidence. This ruling highlighted significant weaknesses in Italy’s initial decree listing 19 “safe countries,” many of which are not recognized as safe by the EU.

Human Rights Concerns

Human rights groups have strongly criticized the plan. The International Rescue Committee called it “dehumanizing,” while Amnesty International labeled it “illegal and unworkable.” Reports suggest that the Albanian detention facilities, despite their high construction costs — seven times higher than comparable centers in Italy — have remained largely unused due to ongoing judicial blocks.

Past Attempts and Operational Challenges

Italy attempted its first relocation in October 2024, sending 16 migrants — 10 from Bangladesh and six from Egypt — to Shengjin. However, vulnerable individuals were quickly returned to Italy, and courts ultimately blocked further detentions. Subsequent shipments in January and April 2025 faced similar legal obstacles, leaving the centers empty for months.

Migrant Arrivals in Italy

As of August 2025, Italy recorded 36,557 migrant arrivals, slightly higher than the same period in 2024 but significantly lower than 2023’s 89,165. Despite the decrease in arrivals, Meloni’s government remains determined to pursue the Albania relocation plan, highlighting the ongoing pressure Italy faces to manage migration flows.

Future Outlook

While Meloni’s government continues to defend the plan, its implementation remains uncertain. The combination of high costs, legal roadblocks, and human rights objections presents a complex challenge. Experts suggest that Italy may need to revise its “safe country” list and improve coordination with EU institutions to ensure the plan can withstand further judicial scrutiny.