Tue, September 26, 2023
Migrants in Lampedusa
By Alvise Armellini
ROME (Reuters) - Foreigners who live legally in Italy could in future be kicked out of the country if they pose a threat to public order or national security, according to a draft government decree seen by Reuters.
The measure, set for adoption at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, is part of a crackdown pledged by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing administration in response to a surge in boat arrivals from North Africa.
The draft decree also states that in times of large influxes of migrants, reception centres would be able to host up to twice the number of people they are normally allowed to.
With authorities struggling to accommodate the rise in unaccompanied migrant children, the draft allows for minors over the age of 16 to be held in reception centres for adults for up to three months.
It also provides for the expulsion of migrants who falsely claim to be underage, and gives police broader powers to estimate the age of incoming migrants using body measurements and X-rays.
Once approved by cabinet the decree would be immediately effective, but would need to be ratified by parliament within two months or else it would lapse. During ratification, it may be amended.
Meloni's ruling coalition swept into power last year promising to curb immigration. But in the year to date, more than 133,000 migrants have arrived across the Mediterranean against just under 70,000 in the same period of 2022.
The government last week signed off on new measures to lengthen the time migrants can be detained and increase the number of detention centres, in an effort to deter them from embarking on sea crossings.
In a move criticised by the opposition and rights groups, Meloni's administration also decreed that migrants would have to pay almost 5,000 euros ($5,288) to avoid detention while their request for protection was being processed.
Italian PM steps up crackdown on migrants with deportation decree
Angela Giuffrida in Rome
Wed, 27 September 2023
Photograph: Yara Nardi/Reuters
Foreigners who lie about their age to benefit from a protection scheme reserved for unaccompanied minors arriving in Italy will be deported under a security decree expected to be approved by Giorgia Meloni’s cabinet on Wednesday as part of her far-right government’s crackdown on irregular immigration.
The draft decree, parts of which were published by the Italian press, includes a measure stipulating that foreigners living legally in Italy will be deported if they are considered to be a threat to public order or national security.
Related: Giorgia Meloni: I won’t allow Italy to become Europe’s refugee camp
Meloni’s ruling coalition, which came to power last October, is moving to enact more hardline measures amid a surge in the number of people arriving on Italy’s shores.
Meloni, who before being elected prime minister called for a naval blockade in the Mediterranean, admitted last week that she had hoped to “do better” on immigration after the number of refugees arriving in Italy so far this year exceeded 133,000 – more than double the same period last year.
Until now, children arriving in Italy without a parent or legal guardian have been able to benefit from a special protection regime, introduced in 2017, based on the presumption of a minority. If approved, the decree would give police powers to estimate their age using body measurements and X-rays.
The draft decree also says children over the age of 16 could be placed in reception centres reserved for adults and that such centres – criticised in the past for their appalling conditions – could host double the number of people they ordinarily would at certain times.
Last week, Meloni’s government signed off on measures giving authorities the power to keep people in pre-deportation detention centres for up to 18 months. The government has also ruled that people waiting for their asylum requests to be processed would have to pay a deposit, reportedly worth €5,000, to avoid being detained.
Meanwhile, a row between Italy and Germany over immigration is showing no sign of abating after Andrea Crippa, the deputy leader of the League, a partner in Meloni’s coalition, said Germany had gone from “invading others states with its army” during the second world war to “using illegal immigrants” to destabilise Italy and its government.
His comments came after it emerged that Berlin was funding charities to rescue people in the Mediterranean, prompting Meloni to write to the German chancellor, Olaf Sholz, expressing her “astonishment”.
Italy opens first detention centre for migrants from 'safe' countries
Euronews
Wed, 27 September 2023
Italy has set up its first centre for asylum seekers deemed to have come from so-called safe countries.
The Italian government hopes the facility in the Sicilian port city of Pozallo will accelerate the processing of asylum claims. It will house people who can't claim refugee status as they've arrived from countries not considered to be dangerous.
As part of efforts to ease the country's migrant problem, people are being relocated to various rescue centres in an effort to address both the humanitarian and logistical challenges of the current situation.
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen and Italy's Premier Giorgia Meloni visit the island of Lampedusa, in Italy, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023
Angela Giuffrida in Rome
Wed, 27 September 2023
Photograph: Yara Nardi/Reuters
Foreigners who lie about their age to benefit from a protection scheme reserved for unaccompanied minors arriving in Italy will be deported under a security decree expected to be approved by Giorgia Meloni’s cabinet on Wednesday as part of her far-right government’s crackdown on irregular immigration.
The draft decree, parts of which were published by the Italian press, includes a measure stipulating that foreigners living legally in Italy will be deported if they are considered to be a threat to public order or national security.
Related: Giorgia Meloni: I won’t allow Italy to become Europe’s refugee camp
Meloni’s ruling coalition, which came to power last October, is moving to enact more hardline measures amid a surge in the number of people arriving on Italy’s shores.
Meloni, who before being elected prime minister called for a naval blockade in the Mediterranean, admitted last week that she had hoped to “do better” on immigration after the number of refugees arriving in Italy so far this year exceeded 133,000 – more than double the same period last year.
Until now, children arriving in Italy without a parent or legal guardian have been able to benefit from a special protection regime, introduced in 2017, based on the presumption of a minority. If approved, the decree would give police powers to estimate their age using body measurements and X-rays.
The draft decree also says children over the age of 16 could be placed in reception centres reserved for adults and that such centres – criticised in the past for their appalling conditions – could host double the number of people they ordinarily would at certain times.
Last week, Meloni’s government signed off on measures giving authorities the power to keep people in pre-deportation detention centres for up to 18 months. The government has also ruled that people waiting for their asylum requests to be processed would have to pay a deposit, reportedly worth €5,000, to avoid being detained.
Meanwhile, a row between Italy and Germany over immigration is showing no sign of abating after Andrea Crippa, the deputy leader of the League, a partner in Meloni’s coalition, said Germany had gone from “invading others states with its army” during the second world war to “using illegal immigrants” to destabilise Italy and its government.
His comments came after it emerged that Berlin was funding charities to rescue people in the Mediterranean, prompting Meloni to write to the German chancellor, Olaf Sholz, expressing her “astonishment”.
Euronews
Wed, 27 September 2023
Italy has set up its first centre for asylum seekers deemed to have come from so-called safe countries.
The Italian government hopes the facility in the Sicilian port city of Pozallo will accelerate the processing of asylum claims. It will house people who can't claim refugee status as they've arrived from countries not considered to be dangerous.
As part of efforts to ease the country's migrant problem, people are being relocated to various rescue centres in an effort to address both the humanitarian and logistical challenges of the current situation.
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen and Italy's Premier Giorgia Meloni visit the island of Lampedusa, in Italy, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023
- Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse
The move comes as Italy struggles to cope with severe overcrowding at its migrant centre on Lampedusa island.
The extent of the problem was highlighted earlier this month when some migrants broke out of the centre because of a lack of space and essential provisions.
EU releases €127 million in financial aid for Tunisia amid Lampedusa crisis
Brussels has a 10-point plan to tackle Lampedusa's migrant crisis. Much of it remains unclear
In an effort to reduce the number of arrivals, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's cabinet is implementing measures against young adults posing as unaccompanied minors in order to claim state protection.
The move comes as Italy struggles to cope with severe overcrowding at its migrant centre on Lampedusa island.
The extent of the problem was highlighted earlier this month when some migrants broke out of the centre because of a lack of space and essential provisions.
EU releases €127 million in financial aid for Tunisia amid Lampedusa crisis
Brussels has a 10-point plan to tackle Lampedusa's migrant crisis. Much of it remains unclear
In an effort to reduce the number of arrivals, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's cabinet is implementing measures against young adults posing as unaccompanied minors in order to claim state protection.
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