Advertisement

Senate moves to ease tough immigration rules

AFP
AFP - [email protected]
Senate moves to ease tough immigration rules
Rome's Ponte Galeria immigrant detention centre. Photo: Filippo Monteforte/AFP

The Italian Senate on Tuesday backed a draft law that would decriminalize illegal immigration in a move that will please migrant rights advocates but has sparked anger from the populist Northern League party.

Advertisement

The measure, which now has to go to the Chamber of Deputies lower house for final approval, declassifies irregular immigration from a "crime", which risks prison time, to an "administrative infraction".

The draft text said it would still be a crime if migrants return following an expulsion order or if they fail to report to police when asked to do so, which happens often with undocumented migrants.

Italian prisons are full of migrants jailed for illegal immigration and the laws have been criticized for putting off potential rescuers of migrants at sea who can be charged with aiding and abetting.

The draft was the result of a compromise between leftists and rightists in Italy's uneasy governing coalition but angered the anti-immigration Northern League, a minor but vocal opposition party.

"No to abolishing the crime of illegal immigration!" read signs help up by senators from the party.

SEE ALSO: 'Migrants are treated like dogs': Italian MP

Don't miss a story about Italy - Join us on Facebook and Twitter.

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also