Italy approves bill allowing naval blockades on migrant boats
The measure allows authorities to ban entry into Italian territorial waters for up to 30 days — extendable to six months — in cases deemed to pose serious threats to public order or national security, including risks of terrorism or infiltration.
Under the draft law, migrants intercepted at sea could be transferred to third countries, excluding their countries of origin, provided Italy has specific agreements with those states. Italian media said the provision is intended to facilitate implementation of the Italy-Albania migration protocol signed in November 2023. The agreement foresees migrants rescued in the Mediterranean being held at Italian-run centers in Albania while their asylum claims are processed, though it has yet to become operational due to court rulings.
The legislation forms part of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s broader push to curb irregular migration and follows the recent approval of the EU migration and asylum pact, which Rome has pledged to implement swiftly.
Opposition parties and some legal experts criticized the bill, arguing it may conflict with international obligations.
According to the Interior Ministry, 1,938 irregular migrants have arrived in Italy by sea since the start of this year, compared with 66,296 recorded in 2025.
The Central Mediterranean route — linking Italy, Malta, Libya and Tunisia — remains one of the main corridors for migration to Europe. Many migrants attempting the crossing face life-threatening conditions, and fatalities at sea remain common.
