Italian authorities recently faced significant scrutiny as dozens of police officers and social workers, deployed to manage migrant centers in Albania, were called back to Italy following disappointing outcomes at these facilities. Within just over a month since their grand opening, the multimillion-euro centers, which were touted as innovative solutions to Europe's migration challenges, have been mostly empty, supporting only 24 asylum seekers.
The initiative, pushed by Italy's right-wing government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, was aimed at processing and repatriation of migrants outside the EU. Unfortunately, the expected influx of asylum seekers did not materialize, raising questions about the efficacy and plan behind this expensive venture. Reports indicated the return of more than 50 police officers from Albania back to Italy about two weeks ago, with social workers making their departure shortly after. Their roles now deemed 'needless,' these personnel had been dispatched to assist at migrant centers established on the shores of Albania.
The centers began operations on October 11 and were expected to accommodate as many as 3,000 men monthly. Yet, numbers quickly dwindled when the legal situation surrounding asylum seekers deteriorated—Italian judges ruled the detention of migrants at the centers to be unlawful. This ruling stemmed from the European Court of Justice (ECJ) decree stating countries outside the EU cannot be declared ‘safe’ for detaining asylum seekers if there exists no assurance the entire territory is secure.
Pursuing their commitment to repatriation, all initial migrants sent to the centers were swiftly returned to Italy. They included individuals from nations like Bangladesh and Egypt—countries categorized as “safe” by Italian authorities. Of those who did make it to the centers, five were released within 12 hours, and the remainder was held for minimal periods of just over two days.
Opponents of the government’s approach quickly seized upon the fiasco. Riccardo Magi, leader of the leftwing Più Europa party, branded the outcome as ‘an epochal failure,’ criticizing the government for wasting public funds and failing to deliver on their commitments to manage migration effectively. The total investment for this initiative is approximately €1 billion (£830 million) over five years, raising eyebrows as the government simultaneously cuts spending on education, health, and social security.
Social workers from the group Medihospes, which governed these Italian immigrant centers, highlighted the untenability of their situation. The presence of 250 Italian police officers was viewed as excessive, with calls for them to return to Italy, where they are desperately needed amid national shortages. Nicola Gratteri, Naples' chief prosecutor, has openly questioned the rationale behind maintaining such numbers abroad when staff were continually reassigned.
Despite the setbacks, Italian officials insist the migrant centers will continue operating. They maintain the current staffing changes align with operational needs but face mounting scrutiny from opposition parties over fiscal responsibility and delivery on promises. The initial enthusiastic commitment from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to transform these detention centers outside EU territory as new models for handling migration is gradually eroding under these realities.
The future of these centers remains uncertain as political tensions rise at home. Prime Minister Meloni had previously criticized past administrations for perceived mismanagement of migration resources, positioning herself as tough on border control. Now, her government is confronted with the prospect of reevaluated commitments to international migration protocols as the efficacy of such measures hangs precarious.
The Italian public is watching closely as the government navigates these murky waters of domestic and international policy. With opposition figures rallying against what they perceive to be governmental mismanagement, the saga of the Albanian migrant centers encapsulates broader struggles within Italy’s response to migration—a complex issue of economic priorities, human rights, and international obligations.
For the moment, the silence of migrant centers amid the offshore political maneuvers presents the most compelling narrative of their operation. A failure to efficiently handle the influx of migrants threatens to haunt the Meloni administration as Italy seeks to redefine its role within the interconnected web of European migration policy. If experiences with Albania serve as any indication, dramatic shifts may be necessary for the country to align its approach with both legal standards and humanitarian expectations.
