European Court Questions Italy's 'Safe Countries' Migration Policy

Europe's leading judicial authority has cast doubt on Italy's practice of deporting migrants to Albania based on a 'safe countries' list, a blow to the migration policy underscored by Italy's conservative Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

The policy, pivotal to Meloni's firm stance on immigration, categorizes migrants based on their country of origin, redirecting those from 'safe' lists to Albanian detention centers. However, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) highlighted the legal challenges tied to these classifications, urging for strict adherence to legal standards and transparency.

Amid these legal pressures, the effectiveness of these detention centers has been questioned, as they currently stand empty due to controversies over their legality. The financial implications were also emphasized, with a report indicating their construction was significantly more costly than traditional facilities in Italy.

(With inputs from agencies.)