Italy’s government has approved a new immigration bill that authorizes the Italian Navy to block vessels carrying migrants from entering its territorial waters during periods of “exceptional pressure,” marking the latest in a series of tough measures aimed at curbing irregular migration. The Council of Ministers gave its formal approval to the 17-article legislation, which Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described as fulfilling a key commitment of her center-right government program.
Since taking office in late 2022, Meloni has pursued stricter migration controls, accelerating the repatriation of rejected asylum seekers and increasing jail terms for human traffickers. The newly approved bill introduces a temporary naval blockade to prevent crossings in cases of serious threats to public order or national security, including exceptional migratory pressure. Under the law, vessels violating the blockade could face fines ranging from 10,000 to 50,000 euros, and repeat offenders may have their ships confiscated. Migrants intercepted under these rules may also be redirected to third countries with which Italy has agreements for reception or detention.
Italy's Meloni moves to allow naval blockades against migrants https://t.co/Te6QBmn0kW https://t.co/Te6QBmn0kW
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The legislation also tightens the criteria for special protection status. Applicants must demonstrate at least five years of legal residence, certified knowledge of Italian, adequate housing that meets hygiene and safety standards, and financial stability comparable to that required for family reunification. In 2024, Italy’s territorial commissions reviewed roughly 90,000 applications for special protection, granting it in only 14 percent of cases, or approximately 13,000 individuals, in addition to those receiving refugee or subsidiary protection.
Judicial authority to expel migrants has been broadened, now including cases of serious crimes such as violence or threats to public officials, family-related offenses, and participation in riots within detention facilities. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi framed the measures as essential to defending both Italy’s and Europe’s borders, emphasizing the government’s intent to strengthen expulsions and more effectively manage migratory flows.
The bill has drawn criticism from opposition parties, NGOs, and humanitarian organizations. NGOs such as Sea-Watch Italy and Emergency have condemned the law for limiting humanitarian operations and endangering the lives of migrants at sea, calling the policy “inhuman” and a narrowing of operational space for non-governmental organizations.
The legislation aligns with broader changes recently approved by the European Parliament, allowing EU member states to reject asylum applications when applicants could have received protection in another country deemed safe. These new rules also include a list of countries to which failed asylum seekers can be returned, reinforcing Italy’s push for a tougher, coordinated European approach to migration.
The new law represents the latest escalation in Italy’s ongoing efforts to control irregular migration, reflecting the government’s broader security-focused agenda and its insistence that Italy’s borders are Europe’s borders. The measures are expected to significantly affect NGO rescue operations, the repatriation of rejected asylum seekers, and the management of maritime migration routes in the Mediterranean.
