Meloni Pledges Security Law Amendments Amidst Opposition to Repatriation Bonus Scheme

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has pledged to amend a draft security law following widespread opposition to a controversial «repatriation bonus scheme» for asylum lawyers. The scheme, awaiting parliamentary approval, proposes payments over €600 per asylum applicant who agrees to voluntary repatriation. Meloni offered to introduce changes via separate legislation if the «Security Decree» is approved by the April 25 deadline, requiring Senate approval for amendments. The Union of Italian Criminal Chambers and the Association for Juridical Studies on Immigration (ASGI) condemned the measure, citing incompatibility with the Constitution, legal ethics, and a conflict of interest that could push lawyers to favor public administration over client protection, potentially exposing vulnerable individuals to unsafe repatriations.

Dario Belluccio of ASGI criticized the scheme for aligning with the far-right concept of «remigration» and being based on a «flawed political vision of the migration phenomenon.» The term «remigration» was also chanted at a far-right rally in Milan on April 18, organized by the Patriots for Europe Group and Lega per Salvini Premier, featuring leaders from several European countries. Counter-demonstrations by an estimated 5,000 protestors chanting «Fascists out of Milan!» also took place.

Separately, an Italian employment agency, Umana, signed a five-year agreement on April 13 in Tunis with Tunisia's National Employment Agency (ANETI) and Agency for Vocational Training (ATFP) to facilitate labor migration for young Tunisians to Italy. Tunisian Minister Riadh Chaoued and Italian Ambassador Alessandro Prunas were present, praising the agreement for supporting youth employment and regular migration.

A new NGO report highlighted the criminalization of solidarity with migrants in Italy, noting that 19 of 110 individuals facing judicial proceedings for helping migrants in 2025 were in Italy. It specifically detailed the case of six Mediterranea search and rescue organization members who went on trial in October 2025 for facilitating «illegal immigration» after a September 2020 maritime rescue. The report also noted 2025 legislative developments that constrained civic space for migration-related NGOs.