Rate of Illegal Migration to Italy by Sea Declines by 62%
As of August 12 this year, 37,031 migrants arrived across the Mediterranean, compared to 98,535 by the same day in 2023.
According to official figures released on Tuesday, illegal immigration via sea to Italy has dropped by 62.4 percent this year.
Last year saw particularly high levels of illegal arrivals into Italy, with the island of Lampedusa being the hardest hit landing site.
Italian outlet il Giornale reports that some in Italy attribute the decrease in arrivals to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s plan to house some migrants in centers in Albania.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s plan involves housing only adult men in these centers, while those deemed vulnerable, such as children, women, elderly people, the sick, and victims of torture, will be housed in Italy without separating families.
Deported illegal immigrants will retain their rights to apply for asylum in Italy under international and EU law, with their claims being processed in Italy. Their movement in and out of the centers in Albania will be restricted.
The agreement to establish the centers was reached between Rome and Tirana in 2023, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen endorsed the plan as innovative in addressing migration into the EU.
Italian government will invest 670 million euro ($730 million) over five years to run the centers in Albania, with Albanian guards providing external security.
Popular in some circles, human rights groups have criticized the centers for deporting migrants, with concerns raised by Amnesty International.
Aside from the Albania-based centers, Rome also offers assisted voluntary returns for migrants who wish to return to their country of origin. The government aids in administrative, logistical, and financial support for re-migration and re-integration.
Official data indicates that the most common countries of origin for illegal immigrants arriving in Italy are Bangladesh, Syria, and Tunisia.
Recent political unrest in Bangladesh has raised concerns in Italy for a potential increase in illegal immigrants from the country, which already forms the largest group of illegal immigrants.
In a recent incident, two migrants died and one was missing after a boat carrying over 30 people sank off the Italian city of Syracuse on Sicily.
According to United Nations data, over 23,500 migrants have died or gone missing in the central Mediterranean since 2014.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
