Italy has stopped taking in asylum seekers from other EU countries since late 2022, stating that it does not have enough capacity to accommodate them. This decision has shifted the responsibility for processing asylum claims onto Germany, leading to a backlog of cases. Despite Germany’s attempts to transfer asylum seekers back to Italy, very few transfers have been successful, leaving Germany to handle the applications. Similar issues have arisen with transfers to other EU countries, such as Austria, Bulgaria, Greece, and Croatia.
Germany’s efforts to transfer asylum seekers to Italy have been largely unsuccessful, with only a small number of transfers actually taking place. The European migration system’s rules are not being enforced effectively, allowing asylum seekers to choose their preferred destination within Europe. Germany is often left shouldering the burden of processing asylum claims for individuals who should be processed in other countries. The failure of transfers is attributed to various reasons, including logistical challenges and legal procedures.
Legal experts argue that while Italy’s refusal to take back asylum seekers is unlawful, individuals have the right to apply for asylum in Germany if the transfer deadline expires. Attempts by German governments to eliminate double asylum applications have been unsuccessful in the past. Italy would only consider accepting asylum seekers if other EU states agreed to take on a fixed quota. The European Commission is responsible for ensuring that EU member states comply with European law, but enforcement has been lacking.
Proposed changes to the European asylum system are not expected to improve the situation, as mandatory border procedures may not be effective in preventing secondary migration. The EU’s plan to implement fixed timeframes for transferring responsibility for rejected asylum seekers may incentivize countries to avoid taking in asylum seekers. This has raised concerns among German politicians, who see the current system as favoring certain countries over others.
The ongoing challenges with asylum seeker transfers highlight the need for a more cohesive and efficient European migration system. Germany’s struggle to return asylum seekers to their designated countries of responsibility underscores the difficulties faced in managing migration flows within the EU. While the issue remains unresolved, discussions around reforming the European asylum system continue to be a priority for EU policymakers.
In conclusion, the failure of asylum seeker transfers from Italy to other EU countries has created a strain on Germany’s asylum processing system. The lack of cooperation between EU member states in handling migration flows highlights the need for a more cohesive approach to managing asylum claims. Without effective solutions, the burden of processing asylum claims will continue to fall disproportionately on certain countries, undermining the principles of solidarity and responsibility-sharing within the EU.
