The EU’s hotspot system has failed to alleviate pressure on Italy, which has resorted to summarily rejecting migrants to free up space in its overwhelmed reception system.
EU governments need to focus on how their own policies are contributing to irregular migration and people smuggling rather than blame so-called Islamic State.
This year has seen a spike in arrivals of unaccompanied migrant children to Italy which is overwhelming the country’s already stretched reception system.
