Italy Transfers Migrants to Albania in Renewed Push for Offshore Asylum Processing

The Meloni government attempts a third effort to process asylum claims in Albanian facilities, facing legal and logistical uncertainties.

An Italian naval vessel transported 49 migrants from Bangladesh, Egypt, Gambia, and Ivory Coast to Shengjin, Albania, for expedited asylum processing.
This marks the third attempt by Italy's government to implement its controversial 'Albania model' for offshore asylum processing after two previous efforts were blocked by courts.
Legal hurdles remain unresolved as Italian courts have previously questioned the designation of certain countries as 'safe' for repatriation, with the European Court of Justice set to rule on the policy's legality in February.
The Albanian facilities, operated by Italian authorities, aim to deter migrants by preventing their arrival on Italian soil, but the policy has faced criticism over cost and human rights concerns.
The Meloni government has adjusted legal frameworks to strengthen its position, but the ultimate success of the policy hinges on cooperation from migrants' countries of origin and judicial outcomes.