Italy tightens the screw on immigration
The right-wing Italian government, already under fire for sending would-be immigrants back to Libya, tightened the screw further today with a law making those who arrive in Italy liable to a fine.
A total of 316 lawmakers voted for the legislation punishing illegal entry or residence on Italian soil with a fine of between €5,000 and €10,000, in a vote of confidence in Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's administration.
The bill also increases the period of detention of illegal immigrants for identification from two months to six, and makes anyone letting accommodation to them liable to up to three months in jail.
The anti-immigration measures are part of a wider security package to be the subject of two other votes of confidence later in the day. They concern the fight against minor urban crime and the mafia respectively.
The whole legislation will then go to the Senate which will vote on it with the same procedure.
Other measures in the bill, which has faced opposition from the right as well as the left, set up a register of the homeless and citizens' vigilante patrols, while anyone who insults the police faces up to three years in prison.
Special prisons will also be built for mafia kingpins.
Italy has rejected criticism of its operation to return to Libya boat people picked up by Italian vessels outside Italian territorial waters to avoid the responsibility of taking them in.
Rome began its controversial new policy last week under an agreement with Tripoli when coast guard and navy vessels intercepted boatloads of people and took them back to Libya, which serves as a staging ground for would-be immigrants of many nationalities.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
Petrol price up 6c
In Discussion
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...
CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...
Updated: Labour would give...
CABS drone shot down
Second group of migrants arrives
Adrian Vassallo in scathing...
43 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
James Pullicino
May 14th 2009, 02:29
I seriously doubt that a fine is going to deter immigrants from going to Italy... These are people (human beings just like us btw) who risk their lives and sell all their possessions to make the dangerous trip in the hope of a better life. A 5000 euro fine is not going to make the slightest difference.
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
May 13th 2009, 23:34
I recall our Prime Minister saying Italy is our dear friend. It amazing what dear friends do at times. I wonder who is right?
Certainly tiny Malta is doing the right thing, after all we have all the space we need to accommodate people entering our country illegally.
When are those entrusted with the running of our country going to wake up and face reality
Robert Callus
May 13th 2009, 22:57
I can't believe people are applauding the Italian govt. What they are proposing is a quasi dictatorship. THey took up the opportunity because people are in panic because of immigration and underrate how dangerous these maverics are. Most dictators got into power and committed atrocities cause people were willing to 'sell liberty for safety'
The migrants might leave Italy (though still unlikely, these measures rarely ever worked) but so would all people's civil rights would
Moses Mula
May 13th 2009, 20:32
Remember, Berlusconi is heading a goverment and collaborating with a right wing party who would rather cut off the south of Italy from the rest of the country. And to the person who mentioned Sweden not having problems with immigrants, you are right, but that is not because Sweden does not take in immigrants ( 13% of the population wasn´t even born in Sweden) but because the governments, right or left, have created a strong structure to integrate immigrants. And there is even a law against hate speeches against minorities, something that is the order of the day in Malta.
lgalea
May 13th 2009, 20:31
Evenlyn Pride, A Borg
Your post certainly does NOT reflect the opinion of the majority of the Italians and the Maltese citizens. The illegal immigrants have been living in Libya for up to 10 years according to the Refugee Appeals Board and should have remained there. We do not care a hoot about them and stop bringing Christianity in it because it has lost all meaning to us and the Italians when we are faced with this constant massive invasion by illegal immigrants. The more you refer to it the more hardened we become against the illegal immigrants and those who protect them instead of us.
v.pulis They landed in Gozo this evening. Let's see if Mr pair of string hands will repatriate them back to Libya. Now's your change Gonzi. Are you going to take it or continue to show us what a weakling you are?
C Zammit
May 13th 2009, 19:08
A nice prospect, if only they could pay it!! How r they expecting to collect the fine? These people come without a passport .. how do u collect 5,000 from someone without money.
Throw them in jail, perhaps? Doesn't this defeat the purpose? We do, after all, hold them in 'jail'.
Or send them back, perhaps? To where, exactly. No passport - remember.
Or maybe its just a deterrent? But these people look straight into death's eyeball and are not afraid ... do u think that 5k is going to scare anyone of them??
Is Italy giving them freedom to work? And collect them from taxes, maybe? If so, would u all people agree to give them this ???? Are u so sure its such a good idea?
If I am not mistaken, in all the comments, it is not race that worries us but financial strain to keep them in detention or the worry that we are overcrowded and work is already hard to find. Does this solution suit us?
Lets all give a thought or two ... not all that glitters is gold !!!
Katerina Blazenovich
May 13th 2009, 18:50
Dear Malta
You should embrace the surge of nationalism that is erupting all over East Europe, especially Poland and Russia. Stand up for your country. And vote for the right wing. The people in charge of both UN and EU are destroying Europe. To stop them, you have to vote right wing.
Lawyers and Doctors should have no place in politics. Not only do they understand nothing about economics ; but when the immigrants will start causing trouble, they will abandon you to your destiny.
In Malta, the government doesn't know what it means to be nationalist anymore. So your best bet is either AN or Imperium Europa.
It takes guts to turn things around. Europe has been saved from the brink of disaster many times before. It wasn't politicians that saved Europe. It was brave men, whose monuments now adorn many European capitals.
To remember what it felt like to be great, you have to look no further than your history books, your Fortifications, National Holidays and your Cathedrals.
Stop voting for the village doctor or the village lawyer or the village idiot.
Vote Right Wing
Stephen Farrugia
May 13th 2009, 18:30
Is Berlusconi part of Imperium Europa?
Adrian Pace
May 13th 2009, 18:23
This is the kind of action one has to take.
Why must it always the right wing to have the courage to clean up the mess brought about by lax liberalism? The epidemic of Illegal migration brings out a string of collateral damage, namely the Islamization of Europe. What we are facing now is unprecedented and Italy is by no means taking a stand because of Malta's miniscule imput in this controversy.
Italy is taking a stand because it has had enough of EU weakness, uselsss debates and useless pressure from the UNHCR. Regrettably, Africa is going through the same evolutionary process Europe did during last century which witnessed two great wars killing over 120 million people. The Europeans, did not migrate to Africa in boatloads while this indiscrimiate massacre was going on and the Geneva convention did not to much good either.
Europe should help the Africans by not selling weapons and by assisting in any humanitarian aid which might be deemend necessary, but migration and complacency are no OPTION.
Marcel Dingli
May 13th 2009, 18:19
@ Martin Portelli
I already have a black shirt, and PROUD !!!
John Matthews
May 13th 2009, 17:53
The thing that puzzles me is, how do you enforce a fine on people who have nothing as they have spent their last few coppers trying to get into the EU. Punish the people who traffic in human misery by all means
As to people who talk about Christianity, you cannot fit a quart into a pint pot. Unfortunate but true.
c.camilleri
May 13th 2009, 17:48
Well done Cavaliere. Malta needs someone like you.
Wayne Hewitt
May 13th 2009, 17:47
Next June VOTE Azzjoni Nazzjonali
If you want to move forward, turn RIGHT
Henri Caruana
May 13th 2009, 17:38
Thumbs Up to the Italian Government for showing how things should be done in Malta and Europe. Governments are responsible for guaranteeing the security of their citizens and the sovereignty of their countries unlike NGOs or other groups who don't represent anyone except themselves and a minority of interests at the expense of the majority. The Berlusconi Government is a clear example of how citizens come first. May others follow suit.
John Azzopardi
May 13th 2009, 17:34
Lateral thinking is certainly not one of the Maltese government's strengths...
Marvin Mizzi
May 13th 2009, 17:32
Silvio Berlusconi is a real leader and desreves all the plaudits and other leaders should try to learn from him how to lead a nation
Evenlyn Pride
May 13th 2009, 17:30
did I hear some one say Italy is a roman catholic nation and that the pope the head of the vatican is resident there......May God ve mercy on us all...if we can decide to go this hard on our fellow human beings all because of their skin color and unfortunate situation......I cant Imagine like some one earlier said" why do we ve so many protesters and agencies against hunting"....Shame on u berlusconi,it is obvious u dont know what you re doing....history will judge you,just like it did to those before you......who thought they were greater human beings.....I hope malta will not allow itself to become the shamble and the mess italy has become under berlusconi rule......lately from a reported survey taking in the uk....a great number of annual travellers re declining from travelling to italy for holidays.....malta should think twice....
Kevin Zammit
May 13th 2009, 17:26
Finally someone is doing something about this problem ...
To borrow a slogan from the UKIP ...
It's not about race it's about space!
jcmicallef
May 13th 2009, 17:20
Well, that sets the example.
EU or no EU, other european countries either have no such problem (Finland, Sewden) or differnet problems altogether (Germany with Iranians and Turks), but still, Malta and Italy are quite isolated on this issue. Might as well tackle it in the best way that fits the country, then.
Obviously, we shall all be called bigots and racists, because all the other do-gooders are so-called tolerant are suddenly feeling like Fr Christmas.
An article in May issue of 'Flimkien' booklet is accusing the Maltese for being intolerant. And these are the same ppl that judge you becuase you use a condom or want to watch a theatrical play!
Since when have we become tolerant to law breakers?
We pile up our citizens with stricter laws and regulations, only to have complete, utter strangers with apparently more rights than the honest tax-paying joe-public, in our own country.
If this goes through the Senate, then it'ss a clear message being given. No, these immigrants do not want to hop over to Malta, and the issue will be whether these have the right to go to mainland Europe after they've landed and spent time in Malta.
Michelle Dali
May 13th 2009, 17:19
@ A Borg x'ghandu xjaqsam?
What have the Maltese got to do with this article? If you read it correctly it says: ITALY tightens the screw on immigration. At no point does it mention Malta.
Some people always seem to want to criticise their fellow countrymen!
J.Micallef
May 13th 2009, 17:18
Learn Gonzi learn!
Tony Caruana
May 13th 2009, 17:08
WELL DONE BERLUSCONI !!!
Mark Scerri
May 13th 2009, 17:05
Viva Berlusconi! That's what I call a good job. Now let's hope that Italian goverment will help us to get rid of this problem. Still there is lot of work to be done one of them is to break the criminal organisations involved in human trafficking.
Carmel Borg
May 13th 2009, 17:00
It is because of people like you, A Borg, that we are all in this mess today. Our government ,better do something similar to that of Italy when the next boat arrives, or I bet he does not even last the next 4 years in government. And he brought all this on himself because the majority, the great majority, of the people who voted PN have been telling you to do something drastic
against the illegal Immigration. It all depends on Dr.Gonzi. Your first lesson will be on the 6 June
A. Vassallo
May 13th 2009, 16:55
Some bloggers tend to think that Italy is the HEROE in this whole story and keep praising Berlusconi and Maroni.
Berlusconi and Maroni would have never done all this if the Maltese Government did not stand up to be counted and showed to the world and to Italy that this tiny island called Malta situated just beneath Sicily will not allow itself to be bullied by Lega Nord and Italy itself
Very good work done by Ministers Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, Tonio Borg and PM Lawrence Gonzi. Keep it up.
martin portelli
May 13th 2009, 16:53
@malcolm seychell
Are you planning a march on Rome and stocking up on black shirts perchance ?
edward bartolo
May 13th 2009, 16:52
Well done Italy! Now try to make the UN and EU understand, that they do not have the right to force you to accept the illegal immigrants indefinitely. The UN and EU should be convinced, that the illegal immigrants are abusing both Italy and Malta, because they are, using criminal organisations to achieve their goal. Moreover, it is important to convince the EU and UN, that perfection does not exist in this world, that is, some will always be disadvantaged, no matter what one does. The argument that some will suffer, cannot hold on forever. Unfortunately, sometimes, drastic decisions have to be taken as in this case.
charlie xrieha
May 13th 2009, 16:51
That's the way to go about it. The right wing stands for COMMON SENSE. Everyone should vote for a right wing europe. Imagine not one, but 27 Berlusconis/Maronis. What would the results be? Very simple...NO PROBLEMS.
All the problems in Europe are caused by the liberals, the leftists and the greens and their lunatic policies regarding mass- immigration, welfare benefits to all (so they get votes), breakdown of tradition values in our once homogeneous society (a.k.a Cultural Marxism) , market regulations and intrusions, (like capping overtime) and high taxes.
If you want a better quality of life,low taxes and guaranteed security, in exchange for hard work and discipline...VOTE RIGHT WING !
c.camilleri
May 13th 2009, 16:46
Viva Maroni, Viva Berlusconi Malta needs people like these who have the guts to act and defy all criticisms coming those who have no responsibility on their shoulders
rene joseph
May 13th 2009, 16:46
the next policy is to abolish the Senate and let Silvio rule till kingdom comes.
v.pulis
May 13th 2009, 16:44
The real problem for us will begin if (when) the first boatload of immigrants is picked up near Malta or arrives under its own steam and it is not sent back.
R Sammut
May 13th 2009, 16:40
Good work Italy!!!
Hopefully Malta will follow suit!! ...
This is the way to go.. FINE THEM Euro 5000 for coming here... not GIVE THEM Euro 5000 to go away!!
A Borg
May 13th 2009, 16:40
don't you dare say that any of you are Christians and then fight for human rights against abortion, or animal rights and hunting. pitiful lot the Maltese. every time we're faced with a problem we see what we can blame and how to sweep things under the rug.
louise vella
May 13th 2009, 16:39
Malta is surrounded by hostile countries and forces which would like to fill our island home with illegal immigrants. Unity of all Maltese is necessary, under the leadership of the government.
That is why I keep asking Dr Gonzi a question to which he has not yet replied. Can he give the Maltese electorate a guarantee that, once the MEP elections are over, he will not go back to his previous policy of accepting the JRS´ diktats on the problem of illegal immigrants?
S. Caruana
May 13th 2009, 16:33
Shame on you Mr. Berlusconi! How dare you?!!!
With your new law, illegal immigrants would now direct their compass (if ever they have one) towards Malta instead of Italy.
If only Gonzi and MPs had enough guts to follow suit!
d. borg
May 13th 2009, 16:33
At last Italy is taking drastic steps against illegal immigration. I hope our govt. does the same even after the MEP elections. We have to do all we can to discourage them from crossing over.
Adriano Spiteri
May 13th 2009, 16:27
Viva Berlusconi!
Sei un grande.
malcolm seychell
May 13th 2009, 16:26
Well done again to l Cavallieri!!!!
Lets elect right wing governments all over europe and 90% of all our daily problems will be solved once and for all
john micallef
May 13th 2009, 16:21
and then our politicians call anti illegal migrant protestors as racists, in that context, all italy is also racist. am i mistaken? is italy in the EU or not? yes it is, so how come our policiy makers tell us that we can do nothing with this illegal migrant issue because EU laws forbid us to? last but not least, a big clap of hands to the italian government for recognising that there must be tighter security in their country against the idea of the governing party that 'everything is under control' in malta
Joanne Micallef
May 13th 2009, 16:20
Well done Italy, now in order for Malta not to become the only safe alternative to Europe's front door we should follow the same path.
n xuereb
May 13th 2009, 16:13
when are WE going to follow suit?
lorry coleiro
May 13th 2009, 16:11
''punishing illegal entry or residence on Italian soil with a fine of between €5,000 and €10,000,''
U l-gvern Malti jaghati 5000 euro bonus b'xejn biex tibdew negozju dan wara li jkunu dahlu illegalment !!!!!
Joe Camilleri
May 13th 2009, 16:08
That is how it should be and not GIVE them €5,000 from our taxes.