ITALY: Foreign nationals who falsify their age to exploit a protection programme designated for unaccompanied minors upon their arrival in Italy will face deportation under a security decree anticipated to receive approval from Giorgia Meloni’s cabinet as a part of her far-right government’s crackdown on irregular immigration.
The proposed decree, portions of which have been disclosed by Italian media, also incorporates a provision that allows for the deportation of legally residing foreigners deemed a danger to public order or national security.
Meloni’s ruling coalition, which assumed power in October last year, is taking steps to implement stricter policies amid a rise in the number of people arriving on Italy’s coastline.
Meloni, who, before becoming prime minister, advocated for a naval blockade in the Mediterranean, acknowledged last week that she had anticipated achieving better results on immigration. This comes as the number of refugees arriving in Italy this year has exceeded 133,000, which is more than twice the figure for the same period last year.
Up until now, unaccompanied children arriving in Italy have been eligible for a specialised protection system established in 2017, which operated under the assumption of their minority. If this decree is approved, it would grant law enforcement the authority to estimate their age using body measurements and X-rays.
Furthermore, the draft decree also suggests that children aged 16 and above might be placed in reception centres typically reserved for adults. These centres, which have faced criticism in the past for their substandard conditions, may temporarily accommodate twice the usual number of occupants during certain times.
Recently, Meloni’s government approved measures granting authorities the ability to detain individuals in pre-deportation centres for up to 18 months. Additionally, the government has decided that individuals awaiting the processing of their asylum applications will need to pay a deposit, reportedly around €5,000, to avoid being held in detention.
Meanwhile, a dispute between Italy and Germany regarding immigration remains unresolved. Andrea Crippa, the deputy leader of the League and a member of Meloni’s coalition, criticised Germany, suggesting that it had shifted from “invading other states with its army” during World War II to “using illegal immigrants” to disrupt Italy and its government.
His comments came following revelations that Berlin was funding charities engaged in Mediterranean rescue efforts, prompting Meloni to express her “astonishment” in a letter to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
