13/04/2023
On 10 March the Italian government adopted a new decree on immigration, following a shipwreck in which 88 people died close to the Italian coast due to delays in search and rescue operations. The final version of the law is currently being discussed in Parliament, but the text has been effective since 11 March.
While the main focus of the law is the criminalisation of those driving such boats as the one involved in the recent shipwreck, it also introduces changes to a form of complementary protection called ‘special protection’, to reception and detention centres, and to the length of labour permits. The so-called 'special protection permit' is a form of protection initially introduced by the Salvini Decree in 2018, then modified by a decree in 2020 to allow for the 'regularisation' of migrants with relevant family or social ties in the country. Now, the modifications of 2020 have been cancelled.
In recent years this special protection has been useful in supporting those fleeing Ukraine, especially those unable to access temporary protection due to the time period in which they left their country. More generally, cancelling the option of special protection could remove 'regular' status from many migrants who have already been residing and working in Italy for several years. The new decree has therefore drawn criticism from some who say it is overly restrictive and securitarian in its approach.
The law also serves to extend the maximum duration of residence permits issued for permanent work, self-employment or family reunification, which now stands at 3 years instead of 2.
