ISSUES IN ITALIAN IMMIGRATION MGD 120 Charity Cast

History of Immigration  After an original wave of Italian immigration to America due to an inability to earn a living in their home country, immigrants became migratory laborers. Ultimately, 20 to 30 percent of these Italian immigrants returned to Italy permanently.  Once a poor country that sent millions of its citizens abroad to find work, Italy now imports workers. The country has an aging population and low birth rate, and it depends on immigrant labor to maintain its economy and welfare benefits.  Italy now has an estimated 4 million to 5 million immigrants — about 7 percent of the population.

Immigrant Population  Most of those immigrating into Italy originate from regions in Northern Africa.  Italy’s geography makes it a perfect spot for illegal immigration, and unfortunately many Africans have died somewhere along the route across the Mediterranean Sea to get from places like Tunisia and Libya to southern Italy

Attitude  Despite the country's demand for laborers, Italians are extremely reluctant to welcome immigrants.  Surveys show that among Europeans, Italians are the most suspicious about immigrants.  A majority believes immigrants have too many rights and that many of them should be deported, and that immigration has brought only crime.  Talk of an immigrant "invasion" is widespread.

Opinions  Xenophobia is strongest in Northern Italy, where most immigrants have regular jobs.  The pay is usually 25 to 30 euros ($33 to $40), "depending on whether a sandwich is included or not.”  Immigrants are still considered as ghosts, as something just less than human beings. “No one is interested in your condition, your future, your past — no one at all."  Italians are very frightened by Immigration because they want to safeguard their culture

Government  Last year, Italy's upper house of parliament voted into law a controversial security bill making illegal immigration a punishable offence.  The law also allows citizen anti-crime patrols in towns and cities and triples the amount of time illegal immigrants can be detained in holding centers from two to six months.  It also requires doctors to report to police any patients who are in Italy illegally, and create separate classrooms for Italian and immigrant children.

Citizenship Italian citizenship can be automatically acquired:  By birth to an Italian parent in line the principle of jus sanguinis.  By birth in Italy to stateless parents, to unknown parents, or to parents who cannot transmit their nationality to their children; this is partially consistent with the principle of jus soloi.  With the acknowledgement or legitimating of an Italian mother or father. Through special application:  For an individual whose parents were Italian citizens born outside Italy but at least one of their grandparents was an Italian citizen born in Italy. For individuals who were born in Italy to foreign parents but who have resided in Italy continuously from birth to adulthood. Through marriage:  Foreign women who married an Italian citizen before 27 April 1983, were automatically granted Italian citizenship.  After 2 years legal residence in Italy, or 3 years living abroad. This time will be reduced by half if the couple have children (natural or adopted).  The spouse of an Italian citizen can apply for Italian citizenship through naturalization.

Naturalization Through naturalization:  A person who has been legally resident in Italy for at least ten years may apply for and be granted naturalization as an Italian citizen if he or she does not have a criminal record and has sufficient financial resources.  The residence requirement is reduced to 3 years for descendants of Italian citizen grandparents and for foreigners born in Italy,4 years for nationals of European Union states, 5 years for refugees or stateless persons, and 7 years for someone who was adopted as a child an Italian citizen.  Italy issues very few visas to people who are already living in the country, and demand for work permits from potential immigrants greatly outstrips supply.  It quickly becomes a Catch-22 situation - illegal immigrants who have no visa are unable to get a job; those without a job are unable to get a visa.

Culture  Residents allege out loud that immigrants bring only disease, and a local Northern League politician claims that, with all their different languages, they bring only chaos.  Many Italians still see their former colonial subjects as enemies.  “Italy is absolutely not a racist country. We just want to be sure that the immigrants who arrive on our land want to be here to work, not to make crimes,“ -Paolo Grimaldi, an MP for the right-wing Northern League.

Video “Italy Cracks Down on Illegal Immigration” Sources Adnkronos International “Italy: Illegal Immigration Becomes a Crime” BBC News “Italy’s Immigrants Despair at New Laws” NPR “Immigrants Forced to Margins of Italian Society”