Italy tests new offshore asylum camp in Albania

Giorgia Melonis government in Italy has started a new plan to deal with people coming into the country without permission. Last week‚ they sent the first group of migrants to a new camp in Albania. This camp is meant to check if people can stay in Italy without them stepping on Italian soil.

The camp is in Gjadër‚ Albania (which isnt part of the European Union). Its behind a big metal fence near Europes edge. Italy wants to use this camp to solve one of the Wests big problems: people coming into countries without permission.

Italy gets more asylum seekers than any other EU country from African shores. Now‚ they want to stop people with weak claims before they get to Italy. The camp in Albania is the first of what Meloni and some other European leaders hope will be a big network of “return hubs“.

Meloni said in Shengjin‚ Albania about 4 months ago:

This project is ... an extraordinary tool of deterrence

The camp and a reception center will cost about $710 million over five years. Some people say its too expensive and might not be legal or humane. But other European leaders are watching with interest. Even Ursula von der Leyen‚ who leads the European Commission‚ said she likes the idea of “return hubs“.

Melonis plan is more than just this camp. Shes made deals with North African countries to stop migrants; made it harder for groups that try to save migrants at sea; and wants to make it harder for people without permission to live in Italy. But shes also trying to make it easier for people to come to Italy legally for work.

The government says its plan is working. From January 1 to September 15 this year‚ 65% fewer people came to Italy by sea compared to last year. But some people worry that this plan makes it harder to save people in danger at sea.

The camp in Albania can hold up to 3‚000 people. They will stay in small houses‚ get medical care‚ and talk to lawyers and judges through video calls. But some lawyers think this might not be fair and are getting ready to challenge it in court.

Edi Rama‚ Albanias Prime Minister‚ said he agreed to this plan because Italy has helped Albania a lot in the past. He said:

• Only Italy can use this camp in Albania
• Other countries should look elsewhere for similar plans
• Albania wants to help its “big friends“ when they ask

Some people in Gjadër‚ where the camp is‚ even hope some migrants might stay after the five-year program ends. They think it could help with farm work.

Its not clear if this plan will work in the long run. Italy got 155‚000 asylum applications in the past year and only sent back about 3‚300 people. The camp might not be big enough to make a real difference. Some people think its just for show and wont really work