NEITHER FOREIGNERS NOR ITALIANS. SUSPENDED CITIZENS
Citizenship and new generations with a migration background
10.01.2025
2025 will be a crucial year for the legislative reform of citizenship in Italy. The Constitutional Court will soon pronounce on the admissibility of the referendum, and Parliament could start examining the numerous bills already tabled, focused in particular on the recognition of citizenship for the many young people with migrant origins who live in Italy and feel Italian.
In this context, the document NÉ STRANIERI NÉ ITALIANI. CITTADINI SOSPESI, which the LINK 2007 network is disseminating in these early days of the year, aims to offer a concrete contribution to in-depth analysis and discussion. Through data, analyses and proposals, developed by Nino Sergi, it aims to stimulate a broad and shared reflection, capable of overcoming ideological divisions and promoting inclusive solutions to an issue that affects the future of so many young people and of the country itself.
Italy faces a worrying demographic decline: only 379,890 children were born in 2023, compared to more than 671,000 deaths. At the same time, the number of young people with a migrant background born or raised in Italy, who attend its schools and consider themselves part of the national community, is increasing.
More than 65% of foreign students were born in Italy, but the 1992 legislation, based on ius sanguinis, considers them foreigners. Except in cases of naturalisation of a parent, citizenship is only available at the age of 18, with bureaucratic procedures that do not make it easy.
These young people live an identity limbo: they feel Italian but are not recognised as such. This fuels frustration and detachment.
On a legislative level, several proposals have been made over the years to change these rules, which date back to the last century. The ius culturae – ius scholae provides citizenship for those who complete a school cycle in Italy, emphasising the importance of education as a tool for integration. The recently introduced ius Italiae reinforces this vision, recognising that the Italian school and cultural system contributes decisively to the construction of a shared national identity.
In economic and social terms, the issue of citizenship is also crucial. Foreign workers account for 10.1% of the labour force and contribute almost 9% of Italy’s GDP. However, the sense of exclusion and identity limbo (which mortify minors and adults) also risk pushing many young people with a migratory background, trained in Italy, to seek opportunities abroad, depriving the country of valuable talents and skills.
Granting citizenship to young people with a migrant background is not only a matter of justice, but represents a strategic investment for the future of the country. As President Mattarella stated, the contribution of these generations enriches the national community and strengthens social cohesion.
On this issue, political decision-makers can, without too much difficulty, overcome ideological divisions and recognise the role of these new generations in building a more inclusive society ready to face future challenges.
‘The document NÉ STRANIERI NÉ ITALIANI. CITTADINI SOSPESI – as underlined by Roberto Ridolfi, president of LINK 2007 – intends to offer data, analysis and in-depth analysis, well beyond what is briefly summarised here, in order to promote a dialogue that favours meeting points and shared solutions on a subject that cannot be tackled with simple Yes and No votes but must win the widest possible consensus, in politics and in society.’
Index:
- An irreversibly changed reality
- Pupils with non-Italian citizenship
- A look at Italian citizens living abroad
- The demographic factor and new needs
- Rethinking immigration
- Listening, dialogue and confrontation
- Current legislation for young people with a migration background
- The babel of legislation in Europe
- School, a tool for integration and citizenship
- Parliamentary work in the last three legislatures
- Final considerations
The document can be downloaded HERE
Press Review:
13.01.2025: AVVENIRE, Ius scholae. Cittadinanza ai minori stranieri, le “seconde generazioni” non s’arrendono
14.01.2025: ONUITALIA, Link 2007: una proposta sullo Ius scholae, le seconde generazioni non si arrendono
17.01.2025: VITANONPROFIT, Né stranieri, né italiani: quel limbo che può essere superato senza ideologie
21.01.2025: FORUM TERZO SETTORE, Link 2007 – NÉ STRANIERI NÉ ITALIANI. CITTADINI SOSPESIFO
22.01.2025: GIRODIVITE, Né stranieri, né italiani. Cittadini sospesi
29.01.2025: DIRE,“Nè stranieri nè italiani”: Link 2007 lancia l’allarme per i figli dei migranti: “Diventano frustrati”