Italy began taking groups of migrants to Albania in October with the aim of housing them in Italian-built detention centers while their asylum claims were expedited. Under the program, only “non-vulnerable” men coming from what the government called “safe countries” were to be taken to the centers. Women and minors are allowed into Italy.

The Italian government has said its plan would deter undocumented immigrants from making the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean to reach Italian shores. But human rights groups condemned the plan, and the Italian political opposition denounced it as illegal and overly expensive.

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