Italy’s hardline measures to resolve the migrant crisis lead to the approving a new bill, which could make it easier to deport migrants and strip them of Italian citizenship, BBC reported.
The Italian government’s new decree makes almost impossible for migrants to stay in Italy. The hardline policy towards refugees works, the interior minister Matteo Salvini described the measure as “a step forward to make Italy safer”. Drafted by Matteo Salvini, the far-right interior minister, the bill will also suspend the refugee application process of those who are considered “socially dangerous” or who have been convicted of a crime. The measure needs the backing of lawmakers.
A new bill will make it easier to deport migrants and strip them of Italian citizenship, so, migrants could now be expelled if they are found guilty of serious crimes such as rape and assault. Earlier, this was only possible at the end of a lengthy appeals process, now, the pace is changed. According to Matteo Salvini, the decree also envisages that asylum seekers accused of drug dealing will have their applications denied.
The interior minister has been a prominent figure in a public immigration crackdown in Italy since his government, a coalition between the right-wing League party and the anti-establishment Five Star Movement, came to power in June.
The minister has frequently come into conflict with rescue ship operators and last month was involved in a public stand-off about the disembarkation of 150 migrants on a coast guard ship on the island of Sicily. Mr Salvini is under investigation for his role in the dispute.
A series of hardline measures that will see the Italian government abolish key forms of protection for migrants and make it easier for them to be deported has been approved by Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte’s cabinet. Meanwhile, the bill could have a dramatic impact on the lives of tens of thousands already in the country.
In fact, the majority of refugees who have arrived in Italy in recent years have been granted humanitarian protection status, which is valid for two years and entitles them to a residency permit and enables them to work.
“Far more people are on this permit than the number of recognised refugees – last year it was around 25% of all asylum seekers,”
said Christopher Hein, a professor of law and immigration policies at Luiss University in Rome.
