Lampedusa: Migrants' Misery and Italy's Dilemma

The Italian island of Lampedusa continues to receive a high number of refugees and migrants, with conditions in the reception center worsening due to overcrowding and inadequate infrastructure. Many of those arriving in Lampedusa are sub-Saharan Africans who departed from Tunisia, where racial hierarchies and violence persist. The Tunisian Coast Guard has been accused of allowing Black arrivals to pass while attacking and stealing from them, exacerbating tensions. European policy on migration has focused on closing borders and pushing refugees back, but a new pact between the EU and Tunisia aims to provide financial support for border security. The dire situation in Lampedusa was acknowledged by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who visited the island and announced a 10-point plan to alleviate the strain. However, the situation remains desperate, with overcrowding, hunger, and poor living conditions persisting.