EU Moves to Increase Migrant Deportations Amid Policy Debates

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has indicated that the European Union (EU) could “draw lessons” from Italy’s controversial approach to processing migrants offshore in Albania. This statement comes as leaders from the 27 EU member states gather for a summit in Brussels, primarily focused on migration issues.

In advance of the summit, von der Leyen communicated with EU leaders, announcing that the European Commission would introduce new legislative proposals aimed at enhancing the deportation of migrants. Italy recently began transferring some migrants to a processing center in Albania, with the first group of 16 men arriving at the Albanian port of Shengjin on Wednesday. However, shortly after their arrival, it was revealed that two of the men were minors and two others had medical vulnerabilities, necessitating their return to Italy.

As the EU grapples with its migration strategy, other member states are also exploring options for processing migrants in third countries. For instance, the Dutch government has announced that it is considering a plan to send rejected asylum seekers to Uganda. This shift in policy reflects growing pressure on EU leaders to address migration challenges more effectively.

In her letter to member states, von der Leyen highlighted a concerning statistic: the return rate for irregular migrants from EU countries currently stands at approximately 20%. This means that the vast majority of individuals ordered to leave an EU member state do not actually do so. She urged member states to acknowledge and respect each other’s decisions regarding migrants, asserting that individuals with return orders in one country should not be able to exploit loopholes to evade deportation elsewhere.

The Italy-Albania scheme involves sending some migrants rescued from the Mediterranean to Albania, where their asylum claims will be processed. The processing centers, which were set to open last spring but faced delays, were funded by the Italian government at a cost of about €650 million (£547 million) and will operate under Italian law. While this plan aims to manage the inflow of migrants, it excludes pregnant women, children, and other vulnerable individuals.

The agreement has drawn criticism from political opponents of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and various NGOs. Riccardo Magi, a member of the left-wing +Europa party, condemned the Albania scheme as “cruel, useless, and expensive.” NGO Doctors Without Borders characterized it as likely to cause further harm and infringe upon human rights. Civil rights activists gathered near the Italian-built center in Shengjin, displaying a banner that read, “The European dream ends here.”

Despite the backlash, Meloni defended the plan, describing it as “a new, courageous, unprecedented path” that reflects the “European spirit.” The outcome of the Albania agreement will be closely monitored by other EU nations, many of which are reacting to a rising tide of support for far-right parties by adopting stricter migration policies.

In recent weeks, several EU countries have taken significant steps in this direction. Germany has reinstated land border checks, while the French government is considering tightening immigration laws. Poland has announced plans to temporarily suspend the right to asylum for individuals crossing its borders, a move aimed at preventing Belarus from destabilizing the country through a large influx of migrants.

The urgency surrounding migration policy has been intensified by high-profile incidents in France and Germany that sparked calls for tougher immigration measures. In one instance, a Syrian failed asylum seeker fatally stabbed three individuals in Solingen, while a Moroccan national killed a young student near Paris. Both assailants had previously received expulsion orders that had not been enforced.

In a collaborative effort, 15 EU member states recently signed a proposal initiated by Austria and the Netherlands to enhance the efficiency of the deportation system. This underscores a collective recognition among member states of the need to address the challenges posed by irregular migration more decisively.

As discussions unfold at the EU summit, the outcomes of these proposed measures and the Italy-Albania agreement will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of migration policy within the EU. With public sentiment increasingly leaning towards stricter immigration controls, the pressure on EU leaders to deliver effective solutions continues to mount. The balance between humanitarian obligations and national security concerns remains a contentious issue that will require careful navigation in the months ahead.