Italy’s Immigration Laws and the Return of Undocumented Migrants

Immigration laws in Italy and the return of migrants residing in the country illegally have become important issues at the European Union level. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the Italian government is working with European partners to support measures aimed at speeding up the processing of asylum applications, improving the effectiveness of returns following rejected applications, and curbing irregular migration.

On October 1, 2026, the European Union approved new rules designed to make the return process more effective for migrants who do not have the legal right to remain in the EU. Under the new regulations, member states will have greater powers to enforce return decisions against such individuals. The rules also allow for the possibility of establishing return centers in countries outside the European Union.

Establishing these centers will require agreements with the countries concerned, and compliance with international human rights standards will be mandatory. The new rules also provide for stricter measures concerning individuals considered security threats, including prolonged detention in certain circumstances.

The Italian government has described these changes as an important development for its immigration policy. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration has long supported tighter border controls and the return of people who do not have legal permission to remain in the country. However, these rules do not apply uniformly to all migrants. Asylum applications and each individual’s legal circumstances must be assessed in accordance with the relevant regulations. The European Union has made clear that return measures must respect fundamental rights and international law.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has reiterated her commitment to taking the strictest possible measures to prevent irregular migration and accelerate the return of migrants to their countries of origin after their asylum applications have been rejected. At a recent European Union meeting, she emphasised the need for targeted amendments to European legislation that would make it possible to detain migrants at borders and improve the efficiency of promptly returning those who enter the EU irregularly.

The key elements of this policy are as follows:

Border Monitoring and Swift Returns: Prime Minister Meloni’s government has made it clear that people found ineligible for asylum will be returned as quickly as possible. To achieve this, Italy is working with like-minded countries at the European level to develop strategies for accelerating the return process.

Return Hubs in Third Countries: Italy has advocated establishing centers outside the European Union, including through arrangements such as its agreement with Albania. Under this model, migrants could be accommodated at these centers while their asylum applications are being assessed and, if their applications are rejected, returned to their countries of origin. The initiative has also received support from some European countries.

Implementation of New European Rules: Italy has approved emergency measures to bring its domestic legislation into line with the EU’s new Migration and Asylum Pact, which is scheduled to take effect from June 2026. The aim is to establish a complete legal framework for migrant screening and accelerated returns.

The Government’s Position: Meloni argues that effective border protection and strict action against human traffickers are essential to ensuring the safety of European citizens. In recent years, the number of migrants reaching Italy by sea has also reportedly declined significantly amid the implementation of her government’s restrictive immigration policies.