Italy Passes Migration Bill with Naval Blockade Provision

Italy’s Government Approves Bill to Curb Undocumented Immigration

The Italian government has signed off on a new bill aimed at curbing undocumented immigration. The cabinet of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni approved the migration bill, which includes measures to strengthen border surveillance and expand the list of convictions for which a foreigner can be expelled.

One of the key provisions allows authorities to impose a 30-day naval blockade on sea arrivals if there is a “serious threat to public order or national security”. This could include exceptional migratory pressure that compromises border management, as well as concrete risks such as terrorist acts, infiltration, global health emergencies, and high-level international events.

Those violating the rules would face fines of up to 50,000 euros and have their boats confiscated in repeated cases. The bill also aims to revive Italy’s “return hub” migrants centre in Albania, which has faced legal challenges and criticism from rights groups.

The draft legislation comes ahead of a European Parliament vote on EU migration policy, which includes measures allowing member states to deny asylum and deport migrants to designated countries outside the bloc. Critics argue that these measures could force people to countries they may never have set foot in, where they face risks of abuse and exploitation.

According to government figures, the number of migrants arriving in Italy by sea this year has fallen to 2,000 compared to 4,400 during the same period last year. However, nearly 490 people are reported missing crossing the Central Mediterranean this year, according to the UN’s International Organization for Migration.

Source: Al Jazeera