On Wednesday, (September 27), the Italian government approved its latest decree on migrants, in response to the recent increase in arrivals on the island of Lampedusa. The decree's provisions involve imposing stricter measures on verifying unaccompanied minors' ages and also mandates and increase in expulsions.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said "we are making expulsions of dangerous irregular immigrants faster, we are introducing a full safeguard for all women and we are maintaining the one for minors, but with new rules making it impossible to lie about their real age."

The government has said that the measure will curb the phenomenon of so-called 'fake minors', people who try and pass as a minor when they are in fact an adult. Many, including the ombudsman for childhood and adolescence, have criticized some of the measures introduced by the decree concerning unaccompanied foreign minors, including the possibility of hosting 16-year-olds in regular facilities which are not exclusively designed for their age group.

'We are not disregarding safeguards'

Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi promised that the government would not be ignoring its responsibilities when it comes to the protection of children. "We are not disregarding safeguards," Piantedosi said.

The decree, he said, "simply provides for the prefect to order a temporary stay, for a period not exceeding 90 days, in an ordinary center [designed for adults]" for minors aged 16 and over, only when numbers go above the numbers where they can be housed in specially designed centers for minors.

Piantedosi reassured critics that "safeguards and special treatment for those recognized as minors will not be waived." However, what would be introduced were more tests, including anthropometric tests to determine more precisely the age of the migrant claiming to be a minor.

Previous legislation branded as 'ineffective' and 'inadequate'

Justice Minister Carlo Nordio said that in his opinion, legislation had been lacking in this area on migration, or not up to standard. He noted that "the first law disciplining immigration is the Turco-Napolitano law" from 1998. Nordio said that this legislation was inadequate and ineffective, claiming, "we have witnessed the failure of legislation over the last 25 years."

To date in Italy, explained Nordio, "those who needed to be expelled were sent a written document" informing them of their expulsion, "which was never carried out."

"This [new] decree respects international European legislation and ethics," Nordio said, adding that "more safeguards" have been provided for minors.

Military patrols and security at railway stations boosted

The decree also allows for the expulsion of foreigners who possess a long residence permit, if decreed by the interior ministry and the prefect, as well as of those who attempt to present a new application for asylum just as they are about to be repatriated.

These measures, Piantedosi is convinced, "will increase the number of people who will be removed from Italy, which has already risen this year by 20-30%."

The Italian government wants to ramp up its "Safe Streets" operation too, allowing under the decree for 400 additional soldiers on patrol. Currently, 5,000 are already policing the operation, mostly at railway stations.

Praise and criticism

Deputy Premier and Transport and Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini welcomed the measure, saying the decree should contribute to "less crime and violence, more controls and security."

Defense Minister Guido Crosetto added that the decree confirmed a "pledge to provide concrete answers to the country's needs."

Meanwhile, the decree was criticized by the opposition, as well as by the Italian bishops' Conference (CEI).

Giuseppe Baturi, the CEI's Secretary General, said that they were concerned that the government's idea of a solution to migration was only expressed " in terms of evictions, of containment, and of public order."

Baturi added that he felt minors "need more protection, like women," not less. "Simple detention measures" he felt failed to respect a person's dignity. The church leader called for "more dialogue" about migration and consultation across "civil society, the Church, local institutions and NGOs."