Unaccompanied Foreign Minors, the Difficult Path from Migration to Citizenship

Maria Platamone,Caterina Calderone

doi:10.22158/jecs.v3n4p468

Abstract

In Italy, the number of unaccompanied foreign minors (UFMs) is constantly and continuously increasing, and includes unaccompanied and separated minors, as well as asylum seekers, coming from different countries and for different reasons. To better understand this phenomenon, the regulations that protect UFMs, the Italian immigration system, and the fundamental rights of children will be discussed. Possible risk factors such as deviance, exploitation and trafficking, and possible intervention strategies to protect unaccompanied foreign minors will also be discussed.

Highlights

Unaccompanied foreign minors are a constant and significant presence in relation to the total number of migrants by sea arriving in Italy, with a rate greater than 13% in 2016 and 2017, up to 15% in 2018, all sharing the same deprivations, all experiencing a journey lasting months—if not years—taken without the support of an adult for a possible better future in Europe. 10787 unaccompanied foreign minors were recorded in Italy as of 31 December 2018 (Note 1), 95,7% of them were accommodated in reception centres, while 4,3% of the minors reported to the Directorate General were recorded as harboured by private individuals
There are 7.294 unaccompanied foreign minors (UFMs) accommodated in secondary level reception centres, accounting for 67,6% of minors in Italy. 28.1% of minors are accommodated in first reception centres
On the other hand, include SPRAR (Protection System for Asylum Seekers and Refugees) network facilities, second-line reception facilities financed by the FAMI fund, and all the second-line reception facilities accredited/authorised at a regional or municipal level

Summary

Introduction

Unaccompanied foreign minors are a constant and significant presence in relation to the total number of migrants by sea arriving in Italy, with a rate greater than 13% in 2016 and 2017, up to 15% in 2018, all sharing the same deprivations, all experiencing a journey lasting months—if not years—taken without the support of an adult for a possible better future in Europe. 10787 unaccompanied foreign minors were recorded in Italy as of 31 December 2018 (Note 1), 95,7% of them were accommodated in reception centres, while 4,3% of the minors reported to the Directorate General were recorded as harboured by private individuals. It is common for minors to be transferred from their landing areas, as part of transfers of adult asylum seekers, to first reception facilities for adults in the central-northern regions, where they remain for long periods and sometimes up to the age of majority. This practice, reported by the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry into the reception system, is in clear contrast with the current legislation, which expressly prohibits the placement of UFMs in adult reception centres and their detention.

Findings

Discussion

Conclusions