Migrants: CDM approves the decree for the EU Pact. New rules for asylum, repatriations and work

The Council of Ministers has approved a decree-law introducing urgent measures in the field of justice and for the implementation of the European Union Pact on Migration and Asylum. The measure, proposed by Premier Meloni and ministers Nordio, Piantedosi, Tajani and Foti, adapts the Italian legal system to the European directives on reception and to the regulations regarding common protection procedures, repatriations and the Eurodac system.

The text redefines the phases of expression of will, registration and formalization of the application for international protection. Among the main innovations stands out the intervention on access to work for asylum seekers, increasing the period of preclusion from work to 90 days.

New rules for asylum at the border, detention and risk of escape

The decree intervenes on the right to remain in the territory of the State and on asylum procedures at the border. A tightening of controls is introduced the obligation to reside in a specific place established by the prefect, alternative measures to detention and a new assessment of the risk of escape.

The text regulates accelerated procedures, rejections and the transfer of applicants. For foreigners traced during irregular crossings or following rescues at sea, transfer to special crisis points is expected to carry out health, vulnerability and security checks and photodactyloscopic survey. Administrative detention for investigations is also established, with validation by the justice of the peace and guarantees for minors.

Strengthening of Eurodac, the Commissions and the courts

On the technological and identification front, the provision adapts the Eurodac system with the automated interconnection of fingerprints and facial imagesestablishing the national access point at the Department of Public Safety.

Finally, to manage the impact of the new European framework, the Government has allocated resources for the judicial sector. It is expected the strengthening of the territorial commissions and the expansion of the court sections specialized in immigrationwith the establishment of removal sections and transitional measures to guarantee the immediate operation of the reform.