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Italy can't deport 700,000 illegal immigrants
Friday, 03 July 2009 10:14 | 
3rd July 2009: The newly approved Security Law criminalizes illegal immigration in Italy. This means that anyone who enters or stays in the national territory without the Permit of Stay is committing a crime, punishable by a fine ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 Euros, and expulsion.
Aware that there is no room in Italian prisons to host the illegal immigrants, the Government decided not to introduce prison sentence for those guilty of committing the crime of illegal immigration.
If the aim of this law is to discourage people from coming and staying in Italy illegally, then it should have included a provision to regularize those already here illegally.
The law comes into force at a time when Italy has at least 700,000 illegal immigrants. I repeat, at least 700,000.
This means that from today, 700,000 people are committing a crime of staying here illegally. And since they are committing a crime, the law states that they should be arrested and charged.
How many police officers are needed to arrest 700,000 illegal immigrants? Where will they be detained as they wait to be charged? With Italian courts overstrained, how long will it take before these people are taken to court to be charged?
Then comes the most ridiculous part of the law. Giving the guilty illegal immigrants a fine ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 Euros, and expulsion.
Illegal immigrants don’t have bank accounts. Officially they don’t own properly. And they don’t go around with such a big amount of money in their pockets, which in the first case they don’t have. So, whether you give them a fine of 5,000 or 10,000 Euros, they will simply not pay it. They can’t afford, full stop.
And even if they can afford (very few can), since paying the fine won’t spare them expulsion, they’ll not pay.
The Security Law has created a system that will make public money be spent on court cases which will never bring the State any money! What a clever way to use public money during the financial crisis!
Then, after spending the money on court cases and giving the illegal immigrants expulsion orders, they’ll be set free with a request to leave the national territory after a given period (normally 5 days). It is hoped that in this way, they can voluntarily leave, paying for their transport back home. Now, what if the expelled illegal immigrant can’t afford to pay for the journey back home?
I strongly doubt if the Government has enough money to arrest, charge and deport all these illegal immigrants. This is one of the reasons why this new law is ineffective.
Illegal immigrants in Italy are not a threat to anyone. They hardly commit crimes. At least 500,000 of them of have regular jobs, with employers ready to regularize their status. They take care of the elderly, babies, the sick, work in factories, etc. They live in Italian families, who trust them to an extent of entrusting to them the care of their homes and their dear ones. Most of their employers in fact have been trying for years to regularize them, but the complicated and time wasting bureaucracy has made this impossible.
It is difficult for politicians, especially those who rely on their anti-immigrant stance for votes, to publicly admit that Italy needs these illegal immigrants. But that’s the truth.
Considering the enormous amount of resources needed to deport the illegal immigrants, and the great service they provide to the Italian society, I strongly doubt if there will be any serious attempts to implement this law.
By Stephen Ogongo
Last Updated (Friday, 05 February 2010 08:21)
the law is ineffective
i totally agree,those 700,000 illegal immigrants provides services to Italy. just imagine that almost all the workers in the lowest sector comes from other countries. It is very rare that you can see italian working as a helper in another italian house...or baby sitting or feeding the oldies. it is very rare. Imagine the help and the services of this so-called-illegal workers. how can the government be able to send them home,look at there numbers. What should the government do is to GRANT ANOTHER AMNESTY!!! help them, because they help you italians! come on open your eyes look around. those who are dedicated of serving you are those you want to expell! Nevertheless, upon their entry in your country you should be strict! guard the ports, place a new and necessary measures. Think italians! THINK!