The Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, reiterated her defense of a migration policy based on greater border control and an increase in repatriations against illegal immigrants. The Italian government maintains that those who do not have the right to remain in the country must be expelled and that return procedures should be faster and more effective.
“In Italy, the rules are respected, and those who commit crimes and do not have the right to stay are expelled and repatriated,” Meloni stated on September 11 while publishing images of repatriation operations carried out by the Italian police against illegal immigrants from Africa. The right-wing leader added that her government will continue to work to strengthen controls and make expulsions more effective.
Meloni's position comes as Italy maintains a policy of increased pressure on irregular immigration. In September, the Prime Minister also stated that the continuity of the Schengen area depends on European countries' ability to protect the external borders of the European Union and combat organizations dedicated to human trafficking.
