Migrants, how the Albania model Meloni is relaunching works

The Italian government has revived its controversial "Albania model" for managing migration flows following the chaotic situation in Ceuta, where thousands of migrants swam across the border with Morocco into Spain’s North African enclave. The crisis has reignited debates over how best to handle irregular arrivals, with the government seeking to expand its approach beyond national borders and into EU-wide policy. Ceuta, a Spanish territory located just across the Strait of Gibraltar from Tangier, became the epicenter of a dramatic surge in migrant crossings. On July 30, 2026, hundreds of individuals, primarily young men, waded through shallow waters along the coastal fence separating Ceuta from Moroccan territory. Many managed to climb onto the barrier and swim the final stretch, entering the city unchallenged. Videos captured the scene, showing long lines of people waiting to cross, while emergency services struggled to respond to the sheer volume. Local authorities warned that the number of arrivals could surpass 1,000 in a single week, echoing similar crises in May 2021 when nearly 5,000 crossed in one day. In response to the escalating situation, the Asamblea de Ceuta, the autonomous region's legislative body, convened an urgent session. Delegates unanimously approved a resolution calling for immediate measures, including the closure of the border with Morocco, deployment of military forces, and declaration of a national state of emergency. However, the Spanish government rejected the request for a state of emergency, citing that such a status is reserved for natural disasters or major incidents, not migration crises. Despite this, officials acknowledged the need for extraordinary actions to regain control of the frontier. The crisis has also intensified political tensions within Spain. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has pledged to mobilize all available resources and work closely with Moroccan authorities to stabilize the situation. Meanwhile, opposition leaders, particularly from the conservative Partido Popular, have criticized the government’s handling of the crisis, arguing that more decisive action was required earlier. At the heart of the Italian government’s strategy lies the so-called "Albania model," which was initially conceived as a way to manage the return of migrants from third countries deemed safe. The agreement between Italy and Albania, signed in 2023 and ratified by Parliament in 2024, allows for the transfer of migrants intercepted at sea by Italian vessels to Albanian territory, where they would undergo asylum procedures or be repatriated outside the European Union. The plan aimed to reduce pressure on Italy’s shores by processing claims abroad. Two facilities were constructed in Albania, one in Shengjin serving as a landing point and initial identification center, and another in Gjader, intended for further processing, including detention and deportation. Initially, these centers were not designated as Centers for Temporary Stay for Return (CPRs), but rather as sites for accelerated asylum procedures. According to Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, the goal was to hold individuals temporarily pending legal decisions, especially those from countries considered safe. However, the system faced repeated setbacks. Courts in Italy often blocked the temporary detention of migrants, citing concerns over the classification of "safe countries." In October 2024, the Rome Court refused to validate detentions at the Gjader facility. Faced with these obstacles, the Italian government revised its approach in April 2025, officially designating Gjader as a CPR, allowing for the detention of individuals awaiting expulsion. Despite these efforts, the model has yet to achieve widespread success. Critics argue that the system lacks transparency and fails to address the root causes of migration, such as instability and poverty in origin countries. The current crisis in Ceuta underscores the challenges of managing large-scale migration flows, highlighting the need for coordinated international strategies. As the situation continues to evolve, the effectiveness of the "Albania model" will remain under scrutiny.