As part of heightened surveillance along the Alpine frontier, Turin’s immigration unit conducted targeted operations near Bardonecchia on 18-20 September, identifying two Pakistani nationals without valid residence titles. The men were escorted on 21 September to Bergamo airport and placed on a flight to Islamabad under a bilateral readmission accord. Authorities say the action follows a spike in secondary movements from Italy into France via mountain paths, prompting nightly patrols with drone support and thermal cameras. French police report a 12 % rise in unauthorised crossings in the first eight months of 2026, adding pressure on Italy to curb departures. While numerically small, such forced returns demonstrate how local enforcement underpins Italy’s broader Schengen obligations. Mobility advisers should note that individuals found overstaying—even if previously employed—can be subject to rapid expulsion, nullifying pending work-permit conversions or family-reunion applications. Employers in the Piedmont logistics corridor are advised to schedule documentation audits for third-country drivers and warehouse staff who frequently cross into France. Failure to maintain up-to-date copies of residence permits during roadside checks can trigger administrative fines of up to €2,500 per infringement.
Source: Il Risveglio
