Immigration in Italy

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In the year 2005 there were 3.035.000 imigrants living in Italy ( Dossier Caritas), 59% in the North, 27% in the Centre, 13,5 in the South. In the past Italy was a country of emigrants, now we are one of the country where people immigrate. When we talk about immigration, I think, we must specify who immigrants are. I mean, there are young people coming from abroad who want to study, there are workers , there are people who moved because they wanted to go back to their origins and there are 'clandestine' imigrants.

Legal immigrants in Italy are approximately 2.7 million, while estimates ranging from 500,000 to 800,000 people live illegally in the country. Many of them attempt to come into the EU through Italian coastline, a target for illigal immigrants who can then take advantage of the Schengen zone and travel free within the EU. In the last few years we heard a lot about desperate people who travel in inhuman condition, on untrustworthy boats in the hopes of finding a better life. The lucky ones who reach the coast lose their hope very soon. This issue is very delicate: on one side the government must control the phenomenon and says that illegal immigrants must go back to their home country because they don't have the right to stay here. On the other hand, if we consider that most of them come from very poor countries, where rights are denied and food is not available for everyone, then, developed countries we must do something to help them. The problem is that many 'clandestine' immigrants become then criminals and that's why citizens are worried. As a student living in Padova, for example, I don't feel safe. I think the system does not work; if you come in humble conditions from a poor country and nobody besides criminals can 'help' you (in fact they use you for their dirty purposes) you become then a criminal as well.

As far as legal immigration is concerned, I think that this is a natural phenomenon also due to globalization. In order to become a citizen you need 5 years. Before foreigners can partecipate in public life, although it doesn't include partecipation in political life except for EU citizens who can vote in municipal elections. Europe is becoming more and more international, maybe we are living the first steps for an european melting pot.