Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced that her government has approved what she described as a “very significant measure to strengthen the fight against mass illegal immigration,” unveiling a new package of proposals aimed at tightening border controls and accelerating expulsions of foreign nationals convicted of crimes.
‘Today the Government approved a very significant measure to strengthen the fight against mass illegal immigration and human traffickers. Listen-‘
Oggi il Governo ha approvato un provvedimento molto significativo per rafforzare il contrasto all’immigrazione illegale di massa e ai trafficanti di esseri umani. Ascoltate. pic.twitter.com/WijEHfvyXq
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) February 11, 2026
“Today, the government approved a very significant measure to strengthen the fight against mass illegal immigration and human traffickers. The results achieved in recent years—a 60% decrease in landings and a 55% increase in repatriations—encourage us to do even better, and we want to do so. Today, we are fulfilling another commitment made to citizens in the center-right government’s platform: the possibility, in cases of serious threat to public order or national security—such as the risk of terrorism or exceptional migratory pressure—of preventing migrants from crossing Italian territorial waters and of taking them aboard banned vessels, even in third countries. This is a concrete option, compatible with the new European rules, which Italy helped define. It demonstrates how the work done in recent years in Europe is bringing about a profound transformation in the management of the migration phenomenon. To those who said it was impossible, I want to remind them that nothing is truly impossible for those who are determined to act. We are determined to ensure the security of our borders and our citizens, and we will use all available tools to do so. The bill also contains many other measures to strengthen security. It provides for faster procedures for expelling convicted foreigners, and expands the cases in which the expulsion of a foreign criminal can be ordered, including crimes such as assault on a public official, enslavement, and domestic violence. Anyone who wants to live in Italy must respect the laws of the Italian state, otherwise they will be expelled. We are now calling on Parliament to swiftly approve these measures. We will see how many of the political forces who accuse the government on television of not doing enough for security will be willing to concretely support us. We are doing our part. We hope everyone will do their part, without creating specious or ideologically driven obstacles.
The measures, which must now be approved by Parliament, mark the latest step in the center-right government’s effort to reshape Italy’s migration policy amid continued pressure on Mediterranean routes and ongoing debates within the European Union over responsibility-sharing and border enforcement.
Speaking after a Cabinet meeting, Meloni pointed to what she called tangible progress in recent years, citing a 60 percent decrease in migrant landings and a 55 percent increase in repatriations. She said those figures “encourage us to do even better,” framing the new package as a continuation of commitments made to voters when her coalition took office.
At the core of the proposal is a provision that would allow Italian authorities, in cases deemed a serious threat to public order or national security, to prevent migrants from crossing into Italian territorial waters. Such circumstances, she said, could include risks linked to terrorism or periods of exceptional migratory pressure. The measure would also permit authorities to board and act against vessels that have been banned, even when they are located in third countries.
Meloni described the option as “concrete” and “compatible with the new European rules, which Italy helped define,” arguing that recent work at the EU level has led to what she called a “profound transformation” in how migration is managed. Italy has been among the member states pushing for tougher external border controls and revised asylum procedures as part of broader EU migration reforms. In addition to maritime enforcement, the bill includes provisions aimed at strengthening internal security. It calls for faster procedures to expel foreign nationals who have been convicted of crimes and expands the list of offenses that could trigger expulsion. According to Meloni, those crimes would include assault on a public official, enslavement, and domestic violence.
“Anyone who wants to live in Italy must respect the laws of the Italian state, otherwise they will be expelled,” Meloni said, underscoring the government’s position that residency must be tied to compliance with national law.
The prime minister urged lawmakers to move quickly to pass the measures, challenging opposition parties to support the package if they believe more should be done on security. She said the government is “doing our part” and expressed hope that Parliament would act “without creating specious or ideologically driven obstacles.”
The proposals arrive at a time when migration remains a politically sensitive issue in Italy, a primary entry point into Europe for many crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa. While arrivals have fluctuated in recent years, the issue continues to shape domestic politics and Italy’s negotiations within the European Union over burden-sharing and border management.
Fresh figures from the Interior Ministry help explain the urgency behind the government’s latest push. As of 3 December, 63,712 migrants have arrived in Italy by sea this year — nearly identical to the same period in 2024, though still well below the 2023 peak of more than 152,000. With 406 arrivals recorded in the first two days of December and Bangladeshis, Egyptians, Eritreans and Pakistanis comprising the largest groups, crossings continue despite winter conditions. Although officials say reception centers currently have capacity, the steady flow underscores why Meloni is seeking broader powers to block vessels, tighten border controls and speed up expulsions, framing the measures as a necessary response to persistent pressure along the Central Mediterranean route.
If approved by Parliament, the new measures would further consolidate the Meloni government’s hardline approach to irregular migration, expanding executive tools to control maritime crossings and accelerating the removal of foreign nationals convicted of specified crimes.
