Italy passes bill allowing government to impose ‘naval blockades’ on migrant vessels

By Baris Seckin

ROME (AA) - Italy’s Cabinet approved a bill Wednesday authorizing “naval blockades” to halt migrant boats during periods of “exceptional pressure” at the country’s borders.

It marked another step by the government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in its efforts to tighten measures against irregular migration.

According to the bill, entry into Italian territorial waters could be banned for up to 30 days -- extendable to a maximum of six months -- in situations posing serious threats to public order or national security, such as a concrete risk of terrorist activity or infiltration.

The bill authorizes a naval blockade in cases of exceptional migratory pressure that could undermine the secure management of borders.

Migrants intercepted at sea in such circumstances could be transferred to third countries, excluding their countries of origin, with which Italy has special agreements.

Italy’s new migration package, including tighter border surveillance and closer cooperation with European agencies, comes a day after the approval of the EU migration and asylum pact, which Rome says it will implement swiftly.

Italian media reported that the provision allowing migrant transfers to third countries is intended to support the implementation of the Italy-Albania migration protocol signed on Nov. 6, 2023.

The agreement envisions migrants rescued in the Mediterranean being held at two Italian-run centers in Albania while their asylum applications are processed. The protocol has yet to become operational due to administrative rulings by Italian and European courts.

Opposition left-wing parties and some legal figures criticized the draft, arguing that it falls short of addressing migration challenges and could conflict with international agreements.

According to Italy’s Interior Ministry, 1,938 irregular migrants have reached the country by sea since the start of the year. The total number recorded in 2025 stood at 66,296.

Since 2022, the Meloni government has enacted several migration-related legal reforms with parliamentary backing, including stricter oversight of nongovernmental organizations involved in sea rescues, tougher penalties for human smugglers, and accelerated deportation procedures for rejected asylum seekers.

The Central Mediterranean corridor linking Italy, Malta, Libya and Tunisia remains one of the most active routes for irregular migration to Europe.

Migrants departing primarily from North Africa often rely on European nongovernmental organizations for rescue operations after issuing distress calls at sea. NGOs have at times faced challenges disembarking rescued migrants due to limited access to designated safe ports within the EU.

Since 2023, several legal measures introduced by the Meloni government have complicated rescue operations by NGO vessels operating in Italian waters.

Migrants who manage to cross the Mediterranean on their own or who are rescued most often first reach Europe via Italy’s Lampedusa Island, the Italian territory closest to North Africa, or Malta.

Meanwhile, every year, many irregular migrants lose their lives while attempting to cross the Mediterranean due to boats capsizing in adverse sea and weather conditions, overcrowding, or causes such as dehydration, lack of air, and exhaust gas poisoning.