7th January 2009: The new session of Italian Parliament will open with important debates on immigration. One of the most important Bills presented by the Government to be deliberated on is the Security Bill.
Almost all the new norms the Bill tries to introduce are negative for foreigners in Italy.
The Bill would like to introduce a new crime, that of entering and living in Italy illegally (punishable by a fine and expulsion), and a possibility of detaining the culprits in identification and expulsion centres for a maximum of 18 months.
It also calls for the increase of the time required for obtaining citizenship through marriage. The Bill would also like to make it a requirement for foreigners to have suitable accommodation before enrolling with the City Council’s Registry (Anagrafe).
It would also require phone centre operators to report foreigners without Permit of Stay.
As if that is not enough, Lega Nord party has also submitted proposals to modify the Bill by introducing much tougher rules.
For instance, the party would like the Bill to make it impossible for illegal immigrants to marry in the country. It is also calling for introduction of Italian language test for immigrants who apply for Permanent Resident Permit.
Lega Nord is also calling for creation of point based Permit of Stay and a tax of 200 Euros for the Permits of Stay.
Another controversial rule Lega Nord would like to introduce is to make it impossible for illegal immigrants to seek medical care by requiring doctors to report them to the police. The party would also like Italy to stop the influx of foreign workers for two years.
Both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies will have to approve the Bill before it can become effective. Let’s hope for the best.
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