Italian and Spanish immigration policies are compared, highlighting external border control and legal migration quotas.
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Discussions comparing Spanish President Pedro Sánchez’s recent immigration announcements with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s policies have surfaced. Meloni has consistently used immigration as a political strategy, initially focusing on “invasion” rhetoric and opposing NGOs, though her approach has shifted from opposition to governance. Italy saw irregular sea arrivals drop in the first eight months of 2024 compared to previous years, despite fluctuating government plans. Meloni’s initial call for a “naval blockade” was abandoned in favor of strategies similar to those used by preceding governments. Currently, Meloni’s strategy involves externalizing borders through agreements with departure countries like Tunisia and collaborating on managing arrivals outside Italian territory, such as the deal with Albania. Experts suggest border control at the point of origin is the most effective measure for reducing arrivals, noting that these externalization deals carry risks, including documented abuses by partners like Libyan militias and Tunisian authorities.
The restriction of NGOs has been implemented through measures like the Piantedosi decree, which forces rescue vessels to request port assignments, often resulting in longer voyages and increased suffering for migrants. In contrast, Sánchez’s African tour included defending deportations as a deterrent against human traffickers. Paradoxically, while Meloni is less vocal about legal immigration, Italy has opened doors for 452,000 foreign workers under a “flows decree.” Other EU nations like Romania and Poland have also increased work permits for non-EU nationals to address labor shortages. Analysts argue that current approaches are flawed and call for robust alternatives offering safe legal pathways that meet both the emigration needs of Sub-Saharan African countries and the demographic needs of European nations.
