Rome, June 8 (RHC)-- Three of Italy's eight northern regions have refused to accept more migrants, days after thousands were rescued and arrived on Italian soil. On Sunday, the northern regions of Lombardy, Liguria, and Veneto vowed to defy the government of Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi by refusing to allow in new migrants.

Lombardy's President Roberto Maroni said he would soon be requesting local mayors and officials in his region to refuse to welcome "illegal immigrants" allocated by Rome. He added that municipalities failing to do so would not receive funding from the region.

Liguria's newly-elected President Giovanni Toti voiced his support for the stance taken by Maroni, saying, "I have already said it: we will not receive any more migrants."

Veneto's President Luca Zaia also said the current migrant situation had increased "social tensions."

The remarks come as some 4,000 migrants crammed in fishing boats were rescued in the Mediterranean. Those rescued are expected to be dropped off at ports on Sicily and other locations in southern Italy. At least 50,000 migrants have arrived in Italy so far this year.

The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) says as many as 1,500 people are thought to still be adrift on boats in the sea. In response to an international outcry over the plight of migrants, ministers of the European Union (EU) have been meeting to discuss a solution to the crisis. They have considered taking military action to eradicate human trafficking in the Mediterranean.