[1/2] An Italian Coast Guard vessel carrying migrants rescued at sea passes between tourist boats, on Sicilian island of Lampedusa, Italy, September 18, 2023.
REUTERS/Yara Nardi/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsROME, Sept 22 (Reuters) - Asylum seekers in Italy will have to pay 4,938 euros ($5,259) to avoid detention while their request for protection is being processed, the government said on Friday, in a measure apparently aimed at deterring migrants.
"They are looking to make detention for migrants the norm, but it is hard to see how they can do that," she told Reuters.
At present there are 10 repatriation centres in Italy, which have a current capacity of just 619.
In 2022 Italy reviewed 52,625 asylum requests, rejecting 53.5% of them, according to official data.
Persons:
Yara, Giorgia Meloni's, Anna Brambilla, Meloni, Luca Zaia, Crispian Balmer, Alex Richardson
Organizations:
Italian Coast Guard, REUTERS, Rights, Association, Immigration, Reuters, League, Thomson
Locations:
Lampedusa, Italy, Veneto, Rome, Africa, Europe