Immigration & Integration ⁄ Open Migration

Is detention actually necessary and effective in the management of migration?

March 18, 2020 - Paola Petrucco

In Italy the practice of immigration detention was normalized in 1998, with the Turco-Napolitano law, in an attempt to manage migration flows, reduce the number of irregular foreigners and increase repatriation rates. Since then, it has been used as one of the main tools for the expulsion of those without a regular residence permit. In 2018, the adoption of the so-called Salvini Decree further exacerbated its use, allowing for an increase in the capacity of detention centres and in the maximum number of days of detention, as well as the suspension of humanitarian protection. Contrary to what has been assumed by governments, these reforms have proven ineffective both in terms of repatriation and integration. We talked about it with Jerome Phelps, former Executive Director of the International Detention Coalition and former Director of Detention Action.

Residence permits for the social integration of minors: Liz’s happy ending

March 9, 2020 - Gennaro Santoro

Liz is a Dominican girl who was arrested for the crime of international drug trafficking when she was still a minor. In prison, Liz's desire for redemption was notable, but unfortunately her reintegration process was being hindered by lengthy bureaucracy. Lawyer Gennaro Santoro tells us how - with dedication, courage and a bit of luck - Liz managed to avoid repatriation, also thanks to the application of a law that is too often ignored.

The Story of Anthionia, detained in a pre-removal centre and almost expelled (in spite of the rules)

February 12, 2020 - Gennaro Santoro

In accordance with Italian and international standards, as well as case law of the Court of Rome, only the Territorial Asylum Commission can determine whether a second asylum application based on new facts is admissible or not. A circular issued by the Ministry of the Interior, however, has allowed for the Police to decide upon the repatriation of vulnerable individuals prior to the deliberation of the competent Territorial Asylum Commission on the matter. For many, this entails expulsion and detention in pre-removal centres - facilities that too often have been under public fire due to systematic violations of the human rights of the individuals held there (the latest case was that of a detainee’s death in the centre of Gradisca d’Isonzo). In this article, the first in a series dedicated to alternatives to detention, lawyer Gennaro Santoro reports on some of the cases that have occured in recent months.

Situation on Greek Islands Showcases the EU’s Failure on Migration

September 24, 2019 - Marianna Karakoulaki

In August alone, 102 boats landed on the island of Lesbos and more than 2,800 people were assisted. Thousands more people were received in the Moria camp, already collapsing - it is hosting more than 10,000 people compared to the 3,000 places - which put the already critical conditions of migrants to the test even more severely. The health crisis, the new Greek plan for immigration and the harmful effects of the agreement between the EU and Turkey: Marianna Karakoulaki tells us about the situation on the island.

Al centro della Balkan Route, lontano dal sogno europeo: ecco il Kosovo

July 17, 2019 - Christian Elia

A metà strada tra Berlino e Aleppo, al centro della Balkan Route, ma ancora lontana dai numeri di profughi che passano nei paesi vicini. Siamo in Kosovo dove il ricordo della guerra è ancora vivo, ma sembra non stemperare le diffidenze verso i nuovi migranti e i gruppi etnici minoritari. Tra il timore per il ritorno dei foreign fighters e il sogno dell'Europa, Christian Elia ci fa conoscere lo strano caso della giovane nazione balcanica, dove un terzo della popolazione cerca di abbandonare il paese.

The 10 best articles on refugees and migration 25/2019

June 25, 2019 - Open Migration

As World Refugee Day was promoted by the UNHCR (70 million are forcibly displaced worldwide), the Sea Watch is still being refused a docking port: 43 people have been waiting at sea for 12 days, as the case reaches the Strasbourg Court.

The 10 best articles on refugees and migration 24/2019

June 19, 2019 - Open Migration

Mere hours after the passing of security decree 2, pushed by Italian interior minister Salvini, the new legislation has already been applied to the Sea Watch, which sailed on June 12.

Immigration & Integration