Italian authorities have transferred 40 migrants without permission to remain in the country to Italy-run migration detention centers in Albania, marking the first time an EU country has sent migrants to a non-EU nation for this purpose. The migrants will be held in facilities in Shengjin port and Gjader, where asylum requests are processed. The move is part of an expansion of the use of Albanian centers to detain rejected asylum-seekers with deportation orders, approved by Italy’s far-right government. Critics believe the transfers violate asylum rights and set a dangerous precedent. Migration experts question the legality of Italy’s actions and anticipate legal challenges. The Albanian centers, opened in October, have faced opposition from human rights groups and legal hurdles. A 2023 agreement between Italy and Albania allows for up to 3,000 migrants intercepted by the Italian coast guard each month to be sheltered in Albania and vetted for asylum or repatriation. Italy will welcome those granted asylum, while others face deportation from Albania. The first groups of migrants transferred to Albania were quickly returned to Italy due to legal issues. This year, 11,438 migrants have arrived in Italy, with the majority coming from Bangladesh, Syria, Tunisia, and Egypt. The situation remains complex and controversial, with concerns about the treatment and rights of migrants at the forefront.
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