The Italian cabinet approved a contested bill on Tuesday that
seeks to relax restrictions on immigrants introduced by the last
government.
The draft legislation provides for changes in a series of key
areas, making it easier for foreigners to enter the country and
reducing the number of migrant-holding centers.
The government claims that the legislation is vital to tackling
illegal immigration.
But the center-right opposition promptly attacked the bill,
insisting it will actually fuel immigration and vowed to fight the
measure when it reaches parliament, local media reports said.
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If approved by parliament, the document would allow Italians to be
guarantors for would-be immigrants, which means that foreigners
would no longer need to get a job and hold a residency permit
before entering Italy.
Highly skilled or "talented" foreigners with expertise in fields
such as science, culture, sport and entertainment would be eligible
for fast-track residency permits, similar to points-based systems
in use in other countries.
Another key change would be a reduction in the number of Italy's
controversial migrant-holding centers from 14 to just five.
Although immigrants awaiting expulsion will still be held in the
centers, they will no longer be used to house newly arrived
foreigners while they are identified.
Non-governmental organizations and the media will also be
granted free access to the centers as a safeguard to ensure the
rights of detainees are properly respected.
Finally, a separate criminal justice system for immigrants will
be abolished, which means foreigners charged with criminal offences
will stand trial in the same courts as Italian defendants.
The government has billed the measure as a tool to reduce the
number of people entering Italy illegally, claiming that existing
immigration legislation, known as the Bossi-Fini law, is not
working.
Presenting the document to the cabinet, Interior Minister
Giuliano Amato said the modifications "were necessary because the
existing immigration law encouraged a disproportionate number of
illegal immigrants."
(Xinhua News Agency April 25, 2007)
