Italy tightens migrant expulsion amid 115% increase in arrivals

In the wake of a significant 115.1% rise in migrant arrivals during the first seven months of 2023, compared to the same period the previous year, Italy’s government, led by Giorgia Meloni, is preparing to intensify its migrant expulsion measures.

The Interior Ministry revealed that come September, a decree will be approved to enhance the expulsion process.

Official records show that 89,158 migrants reached Italian shores in 2023, a steep rise from 41,435 during the corresponding months of 2022.

Tunisia has overtaken Libya as the primary departure point to Italy, with notable increases in repatriations (28.05%) and asylum requests (70.59%), where every second application was denied.

Interior Minister, Matteo Piatendosi, conveyed in an “Il Messaggero” interview, “We aim to strengthen the expulsion system, focusing particularly on those deemed dangerous.”

“We will allocate more resources and expedite the operation of CPR centers, where undocumented individuals are held for deportation.”

He emphasized that the government increased expulsions by 30% over the past year and plans to boost this figure further.

Piatendosi attributed the influx to socio-economic turmoil in Tunisia, noting that, excluding traditional departure nations like Algeria, Libya, and Turkey, arrival numbers to Italy would actually decline.

Regarding Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) operating in the Mediterranean, which previously faced criticism from the Meloni government, Piatendosi stated that these entities now function under directives from the Italian Coast Guard.

He highlighted that the state executed almost all of the 72,046 rescues in the SAR zone, with NGOs managing 4,113.

The progressive Democratic Party’s leader, Stefano Bonaccini, criticized Meloni’s administration on its immigration approach.

Concurrently, migrant landings continue, with Lampedusa witnessing the arrival of 299 migrants, adding to the 454 from the previous day.

The Pope expressed concern over the perilous Mediterranean crossings, lamenting the nearly 2,000 lives lost since the beginning of the year, and appealed for political and diplomatic measures to prevent further tragedies.

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