Citizenship for foreigners, crackdown on crimes and the Italian language: towards the vote in the Chamber

Convictions for terrorism, espionage and other crimes could close the path to citizenship for foreigners born in Italy. For marriage and naturalization, even those who have signed the integration agreement or have the long-term EU permit will have to document an Italian of at least B1 level.

It is the tightening proposed by Igor Iezzi (Lega), rapporteur Simona Bordonali, which arrives today for the vote in the Chamber. The text also expands the crimes that cause the loss of citizenship already obtained.

The proposal was welcomed by the leader of the League Matteo Salvini, who last Thursday wanted to clarify that the law represents a "battle", a "proposal from the League not only to remove citizenship and residence permits from foreigners who commit serious crimes but not to give it to minors who are arrested for drug dealing, because we want good people, not drug dealers".

The new bans

Today, a foreigner born in Italy, with regular and uninterrupted residence up to the age of 18, can become Italian with a declaration to be submitted, as a rule, by the age of 19.

The proposal adds the block for crimes against the state and political rights punished with prison and for those that lead to the revocation of citizenship. For the production, trafficking and illicit possession of drugs, even in associated form, or for crimes aggravated by ethnic, national, racial or religious discrimination or hatred, a sentence of more than three years in prison is required.