New citizenship controversy in Italy

DW (English)

A new approach to citizenship is dividing Italy’s right-wing political parties. Anyone who studies in Italy for a few years could soon be eligible for citizenship, providing young immigrants with new opportunities.

Transcript

00:00Rapping to release their pent-up frustration instead of suppressing it.

00:06The children of immigrants in Italy, who want their identities to be recognized by the state.

00:17Sonny Olumadi takes us on a scooter ride through Rome.

00:20He was born here.

00:22This is his home.

00:24His parents are from Nigeria.

00:26A child is only legally recognized as Italian if at least one parent has citizenship.

00:33Immigrant children born in Italy like Sonny Olumadi have the right to apply for citizenship

00:38at the age of 18 if they've lived continuously in Italy.

00:42But Sonny says the authorities keep demanding new documents.

00:46The dancer still doesn't have an Italian passport.

00:52You're treated like you don't even have a residence permit.

00:55It's a paradox.

00:59I was born here, went to school here, grew up here.

01:03I even represent Italy at international dance competitions.

01:10Sonny Olumadi is an author, choreographer and dancer.

01:14He's won several awards and is a celebrity in Italy.

01:18But as a black person without an Italian passport, he says he experiences discrimination.

01:23He's also subjected to restrictions while traveling, job hunting and securing housing.

01:28And he can't vote.

01:32For years, Klara Asma had to endure the same situation.

01:35Her parents fled Albania for Italy.

01:37She was born in Puglia, but because she spent three years in Albania as a small child, she

01:42had to apply for naturalization.

01:44It took six years to be approved.

01:48The scars that this path to get citizenship leaves to you, they stay there forever.

01:56They are scars of frustration, of pain, of not acceptance, of not belonging to your country

02:02that then you see in other two million people.

02:07Now there's a glimmer of hope, thanks to Sonny and Klara.

02:11With the help of other activists, they've collected enough signatures for a petition

02:15that could trigger a referendum.

02:16And if Italy's highest court approves, it could be held next year.

02:22Currently to apply for citizenship, you must reside in Italy for ten years.

02:26The activists want this to be reduced to five years, which is the current law in Germany

02:31and France.

02:38Our common goal is to create a more fair and just society in which everyone has the same

02:42rights and there are no first and second class citizens.

02:46And reforming the citizenship law is part of this.

02:51The young people want to use the referendum to bypass the Italian parliament, where Giorgia

02:56Maloney's right-wing conservative coalition is known for its hard-line position against

03:00migration.

03:02One coalition partner, Forza Italia, has recently indicated it may be open to changes in citizenship

03:08law, but they have rejected the idea of a referendum.

03:17Five years isn't enough time, especially when it doesn't require any kind of cultural integration

03:23course.

03:24So we absolutely don't agree, and that's why we've already said we're going to oppose the

03:30referendum.

03:37Amir Issa believes the referendum and the change are overdue.

03:41As one of the most influential rappers on Italy's hip-hop scene, he believes the politicians

03:46need to be forced into action.

03:49Amir Issa says he was the only child with an immigrant background in the Roman neighborhood

03:53where he grew up.

03:54Now immigrant children are an integral part of Italian society.

04:00A lot of people in Italy, especially the old generation, don't accept that change.

04:08A lot of people associate Italian culture, Italian tradition, with a typical color of

04:15skin, with a typical, but in 2024, this is a stupid thing.

04:23In the evening, Amir Issa performs in front of fellow rappers in a former factory.

04:28The performer's songs are a reflection of his personal experiences, and his lyrics are

04:33politically charged.

04:34You don't understand I was born here are the lyrics of one verse.

04:41Like many others in the audience, activist Clara Asma can empathize.

04:49We need to show them that we need a change, and then they cannot ignore us anymore.

04:53These kids build the future of this nation, and for me, these kids, it's Italian, with

05:01mixed blood maybe, like me.

05:04Italy is changing.

05:05Amir Issa says that young people with a migrant background who were born here could contribute

05:10to the country's future, if only they were welcome.

Category

Transcript

Recommended