The European Union seems to gear up for even more deportations as EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suggests that, like Italy, the bloc might learn a thing or two about the Italian deportations onboard in Albania. This after the 27 member states held a Brussels summit early this week to focus on migration.
Italy has recently begun sending migrants to Albania for further processing; the move has generated much controversy. Italy had sent sixteen men to the port city of Shengjin in Albania; but two minors and two medically vulnerable migrants, were returned back.
Von der Leyen's push for more removals follows criticism the current low return rate for irregular migrants in the EU, which stands at about 20%. She wrote in her letter to member states that uniform recognition of a removal order all over the EU was necessary to prevent migrants taking advantage of loopholes in the system.
Under the new plan envisioned by Italy's Government, approved by PM Giorgia Meloni, Mediterranean migrants are to be processed under Italian law in Albania. Pregnant women and minors, for example, are excluded from the plan. At least, opposition politicians and human rights groups have criticized the plan, but Meloni defends this approach as "courageous" and visionary and in line with European values.
These will be watched closely by other EU countries, which have hardened their immigration policies in the face of far-right surges. Germany had reopened its land borders and France was examining stricter immigration legislation. Poland even temporarily suspended rights to asylum to prevent migrants from Belarus.
Incidents in France and Germany in which violent crimes involved failed asylum seekers have heightened calls for stricter immigration measures. The cases dovetail perfectly with Austrian and Dutch plans to stream line the deportation system. These situations and more reflect the EU's tardy moves to handle proper migration.
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