Europe is sending applicants back to Italy

After nearly four years of inactivity, several European countries have announced plans to resume returning asylum seekers to Italy, provided that Italy was their first point of entry into the European Union. Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, and Sweden made this announcement this week, citing new rules under the European migration and asylum pact introduced in June. The move has sparked tensions with Italy, which has refused to accept cases dating back to before the implementation of these changes. The decision follows the replacement of the Dublin Regulation with the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation (AMMR). Under the old system, the first EU country where an asylum seeker arrived was responsible for processing their application. This often meant Italy, due to its position as a gateway for migrants arriving via the Mediterranean Sea. Between 2018 and 2022, approximately 17,600 asylum seekers were returned to Italy under the Dublin Regulation. However, Italy announced in 2022 that it could no longer accommodate returns due to an overburdened asylum system, leading to a de facto halt in such operations. Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, has rejected any link between her government’s recent decision to impose temporary border controls with Spain and the introduction of the new migration pact. She argues that the new rules better protect Italy as the first country of entry, emphasizing the reinforcement of the safe third country principle, which allows for faster processing and quicker repatriation of individuals without protection claims. Meloni stated that her government has rejected 80,000 asylum applications from other countries since 2023. Germany was the first to announce its intention to restart returns to both Italy and Greece. However, Italian authorities reportedly have rejected Berlin’s requests so far. In response to the growing disagreement, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and his German counterpart Johann Wadephul held a phone conversation on Wednesday, agreeing to pursue closer coordination on migration issues and stress the importance of effectively securing the EU’s external borders. Switzerland, although not an EU member, participates in the European migration system and has also announced plans to return individuals registered in the Eurodac database after the new regulations came into effect. According to reports, Switzerland is preparing its first flights, with returns potentially beginning by late August. Similar measures are being prepared by Austria, Finland, and Sweden. Finland’s Interior Ministry noted that the new regulation enables the resumption of transfers, which the country is currently preparing. The situation has triggered political debates within Italy. Opposition leader Elly Schlein of the Democratic Party described the developments as a “boomerang effect,” following Italy’s recent imposition of temporary border controls with Spain due to a large influx of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa. Schlein criticized the move, highlighting the potential consequences for Italy’s reputation and international relations. Meloni, however, maintains that there is no connection between the temporary border controls and the establishment of the new migration pact, asserting that the pact actually protects Italy. She emphasized the strengthening of the safe third country principle, which she believes will facilitate quicker repatriations for those without valid protection claims. Her comments underscore the ongoing disagreements among European nations regarding the management of migration flows and the responsibilities of individual countries in the asylum process. As the new regulations take shape, the practical implications remain unclear. While some countries have already begun preparations for returns, others are still assessing their options. The situation highlights the complex interplay between national policies, regional cooperation, and the broader challenges of managing migration in Europe. With the summer season approaching, the potential for increased movement of people along the continent’s borders adds urgency to the discussions and actions being taken by governments across the region.