Italy’s government has approved a new decree that will turn Albania-based migrant processing centers into deportation facilities. The decision, announced on Friday, allows authorities to transfer rejected asylum-seekers from Italy to two centers in Albania.

Under the new law, migrants who fail to secure asylum and receive deportation orders will now be detained in Gjader and Shëngjin before being expelled. Previously, these facilities only processed migrants rescued from international waters.

The move signals a major shift in Italy’s migration policy. It comes at a time when European nations are tightening border controls and looking for ways to speed up deportations of undocumented migrants.

Italy Moves to Reactivate Migrant Centers

The government’s plan comes after months of delays due to legal challenges. The Albania-based centers, which were first launched in October 2023, faced strong opposition from human rights organizations and Italian courts.

On Friday, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi defended the decision at a press conference.

“The protocol’s content stays the same, but the decree adds new functions,” Piantedosi explained.

He said the government wants to ensure that the Gjader center does not sit idle.

“This change lets us relaunch Gjader and make sure it serves its full purpose,” he added.

The centers are part of a larger €800 million project, designed to relieve pressure on Italy’s migration system. Meloni’s government hopes the expansion will streamline deportations while also discouraging illegal migration.

Legal Setbacks Delayed the Project

Since its launch, the Albanian migrant center project has faced multiple obstacles.

In the first months of operation, courts in Italy blocked at least three transfer attempts. Judges ruled that the detention orders were not valid, forcing authorities to bring the migrants back to Italy just hours after they arrived in Albania.

Human rights groups have criticized the project, warning that the forced transfers could violate international law. They argue that migrants should not be sent abroad for processing if their cases can be handled on Italian soil.

Despite these legal battles, the Meloni administration remains committed to making the Albanian centers operational. The new decree is expected to speed up the process, giving Italy more legal authority to move rejected asylum-seekers to Albania.

EU Push for More Deportations

Italy’s decision aligns with a broader European push to increase deportations.

The European Commission has proposed a plan that would allow one EU country to carry out deportation orders issued by another EU state. Currently, only about 20% of rejected asylum-seekers in Europe are actually deported.

By expanding the Albanian centers, Italy aims to become a model for this new European migration approach. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sees the move as a political win, showing Italy’s commitment to stronger border enforcement.

“We must ensure that deportation orders are followed through,” an Italian official stated. “Otherwise, illegal migration will continue unchecked.”

However, the legal future of the plan remains uncertain.

European Court to Rule on Albania’s Role

The European Court of Justice is set to rule on the legality of the Albania-based centers later this year. The case will determine whether Italy’s plan aligns with EU and international laws on migrant rights and detention.

If the court strikes down the project, Italy may have to suspend its deportation plans. But if the ruling is favorable, it could pave the way for more EU countries to establish similar return centers outside the bloc.

The verdict is expected this summer, and its outcome will have major implications for Italy’s migration policies.

Italy Tightens Citizenship Laws

In a separate move, the Italian government also approved new rules restricting automatic citizenship rights for Italians born abroad.

Under the new law:

• Only descendants within two generations can claim Italian citizenship automatically.
• Applicants must prove that a parent or grandparent was born in Italy.

The change aims to reduce misuse of Italian passports, according to Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.

“We are simply making sure that Italian citizenship is granted only to those with a real connection to the country,” Tajani said.

Critics say the new restrictions could make it harder for Italians abroad to pass their citizenship on to their children.

Foreign-Resident Citizens Increase by 40%

The Italian diaspora has grown significantly in the past decade.

From 2014 to 2024, the number of Italians living abroad jumped from 4.6 million to 6.4 million—a 40% increase.

Right now, over 60,000 citizenship requests are still pending with Italian authorities. The government hopes the new law will help reduce backlogs and ensure only eligible applicants receive citizenship.

A Turning Point for Italian Migration Policy

Italy’s latest policy moves show that the government is taking a tougher stance on both immigration and citizenship.

By expanding deportations through Albania and tightening citizenship rules, the Meloni administration is doubling down on border control and national identity policies.

However, with legal battles ahead—including the European Court ruling—it remains to be seen whether these changes will hold or face further pushback.