Italian results in their European context: Citizenship reform

Tool to compare, analyse, and improve integration policy Do all residents have equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities to improve their integration outcomes? Benchmark policies and implementation measures, according to European & international standards on Equal Treatment Public “Quick Reference Guide” across contexts for new/old immigration countries Debate government objectives, progress, and results

Largest and most rigorous study of its kind (148 policy indicators) 7 Policy Areas for immigrants to participate in society: 1) Labour market mobility* 2) Family reunion* 3) Education 4) Political participation* 5) Long-term residence* 6) Access to nationality 7) Anti-discrimination Covers 27 EU Member States, Norway, Switzerland, Canada, United States of America 7 comparative research partners worked on policy indicators 100+ national independent legal experts answer and peer review, all based on policies passed by 31 May 2010

Key Findings Average Just 50%: Halfway favourable Political will counts, more than tradition Policies across EU more similar and strong with EU law

+1: Progress happens slowly +0 3 years on, 8 inactive or pulled in opposite directions (NL, FI, FR, CH, CY, SK, SI, MT) 6 catching up on basics (EE, CZ, LT on discrimination; PL, LV, HU on security & rights) +1: Slow progress 9 leading countries GR, LU, PT invest in greatest reforms, esp. Citizenship CA, ES, BE, IE, DK, DE make minor changes

+1: Progress happens slowly 4 in reverse -1 in IT, NO, SE; -10 UK Conditions may delay/ discourage integration IT loses ranking to ES

CHANGES Security Act increases obstacles to family reunion, LTR, & naturalisation TRENDS New fees/conditions that many Italians could not pass (see also FR, DK, UK) New LTR language test, but will Italy support all applicants to succeed? (e.g. PT, DE, US, CA) Points-system: Is society any more secure when legal immigrants are less secure? (Less DK, UK; More ES, DE)

Areas of Strength Work migration countries treat non-EU workers & families nearly the same as nationals Implementation in South Europe.. No trade-off between ‘immigration choisie’ & ‘subie’ Still, Italy closes off public sector unlike 21 of 30 countries

Areas of Weakness Targeted employment support to help all find legal jobs that match their skills/qualifications (see PT, ES, other labour migration countries) Education challenge for all new immigration countries like IT Limited political opportunities compared to other established immigration countries Many permits ineligible for LTR Weakest Equality Policies, even with diversity charter; 2nd to last for Equality Body (after ES)

Citizenship: Out-of-date? Basic secure & equal citizenship Dual nationality since 1992 like most MIPEX countries (18) Average but different conditions Slightly unfavourable eligibility provisions

Legal/practical problems proving 10 yrs uninterrupted legal residence (one of longest, minimum for Council of Europe) or until age 18 for Italian-born Italy falling behind trends as nationality reformers transform from countries of emigration to immigration (DE, BE, SE, FI, PT, LU, GR...) 3 key principles from longer immigration (US/CA) & inclusive countries (FR, IE, UK) Short residence requirement (5-7 yrs) Birthright citizenship (15) Dual nationality for all (18)

Unofficial MIPEX impact assessment of 2009 Sarubbi-Granata Bill Same goals & trends as old emigration/ new immigration countries (GR, PT) Only +5 overall, because restrictive conditions/security as for LTR and following other trends in West Europe Some public interest, but political will?