Italy Restarts Migrant Transfers to Albania Amid Legal Hurdles

Italy has resumed its controversial program of transferring asylum seekers intercepted in the Mediterranean to detention centers in Albania, with the first transfer of 49 migrants occurring recently. This initiative, part of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's strategy to manage migration, is contentious due to Italy's reliance on a non-EU country for processing asylum claims, raising concerns about compliance with EU laws and the safety of migrants. Legal challenges have previously halted the program, citing rulings from the European Court of Justice that question the safety of repatriating individuals to countries deemed unsafe. Critics argue that the plan is costly and ineffective, with an estimated expense of 800 million euros aimed at addressing only a small fraction of the migrant influx. Moreover, human rights organizations have expressed alarm over the conditions in Albania's detention centers, fearing that outsourcing responsibilities may compromise migrant welfare. As the program resumes, it highlights the ongoing debate over Italy's immigration policy and its implications for broader European migration strategies.