In Gostoli’s article, “‘Salvini Law’ could make thousands of refugees homeless”, it talks about how this new law pass, could effect vulnerable immigrants in a bad way. The “Salving Law” is basically a law, (named after Matteo Salvini), that abolishes humanitarian protection. In other words, it means it abolishes a stay permit issued to those who do not qualify for refugee status or subsidiary protection, but were recognized in being in a vulnerable state or situation. This means immigrants that are minors, victims of trafficking, families with young children, and people with mental or physical vulnerabilities won’t be guaranteed protection to stay anymore.
The article explains Soumayla’s story, a migrant from Libya, and how he sought to move to Rome for a better life, having no money in his wallet. Being in Italy, he wanted to adapt to the Italian culture, as he went to Italian language school, worked at a summer camp for children, and is now studying to obtain a high school diploma. He explains that once he gets his documents, his dream is to play football professionally; while he is currently able to stay at an apartment through the “Refugees Welcome” organization.
Since this law passed, more critics begin to argue that it will end up condemning asylum seekers, who are already in Italy, (like Soumayla), to basically live a life without basic rights. This will wind up making these immigrants more prone to labor exploitation and easier prey to crime. This leaves many immigrants who arrive to Italy as minors having no sense of support when they reach 18. It also is predicted by Matteo Villa, immigration researcher, that next two years 70,000 more people living in Italy, will become undocumented.
This article overall truly reflects how important humanitarian protection rights are to immigrants in Italy, and how this law can leave many vulnerable people already living in Italy, unsupported and undocumented.
Sources:
Gostoli, Ylenia. (17 December, 2018.) ‘Salvini Law’ could make thousands of refugees homeless. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/12/law-thousands-refugees-homeless-181215133410672.html