Refugees Research Articles

Plus Ça Change: The Politics of Alterity, and Italian and Maltese Responses to Recent Migration Challenges

This article analyzes the evolving refugee related policies of Italy and Malta in recent years by employing Hannah Arendt’s insights into the origins of refugee status and the power of alterity as an animating force of human behavior. We contend that both these countries have circumvented European Union and United Nations compacts and rules governing refugee treatment during this difficult historical era and that their behavior, and that of their populations, provides a powerful and salient reminder of the challenge of ensuring displaced people rights in the face of human willingness to ‘other.’ We argue too that the bases of those obstacles take multiple forms including deliberate appeals to hatreds, fears, and grievances, real and imagined, by political leaders for purposes of securing power, as well as via perversions of national memory and history. More deeply, the wellsprings of the behaviors to which Arendt pointed lie in individuals’ innate relative incapacity to tolerate difference, presenting a critical ongoing challenge for democratic governance amidst conditions of pluralism of whatever stripe. Keywords: refugees, Syrian Civil War, Hannah Arendt, Italy, Malta, alterity

Reconsidering the Asylum Lottery: Refugee Determination and the Structure of Luck

An influential body of legal scholarship suggests that luck plays a role in determining who gets refugee status where legal processes operate as a ‘roulette’ or ‘lottery’. These metaphors act as a powerful way of signalling how systems of justice produce unfair outcomes, but scholarship on refugee law has, to date, paid little attention to date on how luck functions as a concept. Drawing from other disciplinary approaches to conceptualising luck, this article uses empirical research on access to immigration advice in England to develop a more critical approach to luck. The findings demonstrate how experiences of luck within immigration systems are connected to structural inequalities and other factors that are often produced by – and can be addressed through – policy decisions. I argue that, as legal scholars, we need to be cautious about accepting individual narratives of luck at face value, because luck implies a lack of control and can therefore work to obscure these more structural issues. Paying closer attention to how experiences of luck are produced and structured by legal processes can, however, also help to expand the conceptual tools that we use to work towards fairer systems of justice.

Pakistan’s Judicial Engagement with International Refugee Law

ABSTRACT This article examines the case law at different tiers of Pakistan’s judiciary in order to map its engagement with international refugee law. Pakistan hosts one of the world’s largest refugee populations, with no national legislation dealing with refugees. Nor has it ratified the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees (Refugee Convention). Nevertheless, this article shows that Pakistan’s judicial engagement with the Refugee Convention has been meaningful and instructive. Rahil Azizi v The State is used to illustrate how domestic courts can utilize the principle of non-refoulement, as well as article 31 of the Refugee Convention, to deal with the situation of refugees unlawfully in the country of refuge. The judgment instructs the State that the application of existing domestic law for illegal foreigners or refugees should be nuanced and sensitive to their distinct vulnerabilities. Further, it is argued that, by creatively weaving together UNHCR–host State memoranda of understanding with constitutional and international law obligations, courts in non-signatory States can ensure stronger protection for refugees vis-à-vis ad hoc and regressive government policies.

Money, not protection. Assisted return programmes and the timing of future harm in refugee status determination

ABSTRACT Originally established as an alternative to deportation after a failed asylum application, Assisted Return programmes have increasingly become a significant factor in the asylum procedure. By analysing an extensive body of case law from German courts, this article demonstrates how these programmes are primarily used to argue that life-threatening deprivation upon return is too unlikely to warrant international protection. Only a few courts contend that these programmes do not sufficiently protect against deprivation. This disagreement stems from conflicting assessments of the programmes’ effectiveness and differing interpretations of the timing of future harm. The prevalent requirement that harm must be imminent upon return aligns with the judicial expectation that asylum seekers are responsible for availing themselves of return assistance, bringing about their own ‘deportability’. It also leads to inadequate fact-finding regarding the actual effects of Assisted Return programmes. Monetary support through return programmes is thus considered as an alternative to protection, or at least facilitates its rejection. Given the original purpose of the programmes to increase the number of returnees among rejected asylum seekers, this demonstrates how policy measures have effects beyond their initial scope, and how judges indirectly implement policy.

P-1303. Moving Research into Action: The Use of Hospital Admission Data as a Measure of Ukrainian Child Migrants’ and War Refugees’ Health Needs in the First 100 Days of the War

Abstract Background Since the start of the war in Ukraine on February 24th, 2022, Poland has been one of the countries with the largest arrival of migrant and war refugees from Ukraine. As the presence of Ukrainian migrant and war refugee children has increased in Poland, studies of their health condition and the use of health services have become of key importance in fulfilling their unmet health needs. Methods Data on the hospitalization of Ukrainian pediatric patients in Polish hospitals come from the Nationwide General Hospital Morbidity Study (NGHMS). The analyses were based on the diagnoses and conditions most responsible for the patient’s stay in hospital and coded in accordance with ICD-10. Results According to the NGHMS, during the first 100 days of war 2,544 Ukrainian children and adolescents under 18 years of age were admitted to Polish hospitals. The most frequently reported hospital events among the Ukrainian migrant children were infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99) – 24.1%, mainly viral and other specified intestinal infections (A08; 49.3%), other gastroenteritis and colitis of infectious and unspecified origin (A09; 36.2%). Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and lab findings (R00-R99 – 17.8%) were the second most frequently reported cause of hospitalization, the majority of which were related to digestive system symptoms - mostly nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain, as well as fever of unknown origin. Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99) ranked as the third leading cause of pediatric hospitalization (12.2%), with a predominance of acute bronchitis (J20) and influenza due to identified seasonal influenza virus (J10). 88 Ukrainian children were admitted to hospital due to COVID-19. One third of analyzed hospitalizations (33.1%) had a principal diagnosis of vaccine-preventable disease (VPD). Conclusion Our findings suggest a greater focus on preventive healthcare and public health interventions, especially in the area of VPD. As vaccination should be considered a health equity intervention, the tailored vaccination program SAY YES TO VACCINATION in collaboration with UNICEF (SBC Office) has been implemented to increase mothers’ vaccination literacy and address gaps in vaccination coverage among Ukrainian children in Poland. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

P-1427. Continuation of HIV and hepatitis C care among refugees migrating from Ukraine - Five Times Ninety project

Abstract Background Five Times Ninety project investigates linkage to care among war refugees living with HIV displaced from Ukraine to Poland.Figure 1.Gender and mode of HIV infection of Ukrainian refugees stratified by time of registering to care in Warsaw Methods Refugees who registered to HIV care in Warsaw were followed according to “Standardized protocol for clinical management and medical data sharing for PLHIV among refugees from Ukraine” developed by WHO/CHIP,EACS, ECEE and ECDC (https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/353083). For each patient who signed informed request data were linked to database at the Public Health Center (PHC) Ministry of Health Ukraine, and sent back on standardized form.Figure 2.Cascade of HIV care of Ukrainian refugees registered to care in Warsaw Results Among 205 refugees who registered to HIV care in Warsaw (5 Mar2022 - 31Aug2023) 202 (98.7%) were linked with PHC database, 121 (59.9%) were female, median age 40.0 (range 18-69, IQR 36.0-46.0), migrating from Central (67; 33.2%), South (65; 32.2%), East (39; 19.3%), West (27; 13.4%) and North (4; 2.0%) Ukraine. Mode of HIV infection was heterosexual in 113 (55.9%), other/unknown in 51 (25.2%), injecting drug use in 28 (13.9%) and MSM in 10 (4.9%) persons. Women and persons who acquired HIV through heterosexual contacts were more likely to migrate earlier, but age structure did not significantly change over time (Figure 1). On 31Dec2023 in total 128 (63.4%) patients remained in care in Warsaw. 189 patients (93.1%) had HIV viral load measured both in Ukraine and Poland, 173 (91.5%) and 155 (82.0%) were undetectable, respectively. This translates into 9.5% loss of ART efficacy during a transition period. These improved over time (Figure 1). Switching of antiretroviral therapy occurred often, yet majority remained on integrase inhibitor (194; 98.0%) and tenofovir (176; 88.9%), Figure 4. 148 persons (73.6%) were tested with HCV serology in Ukraine and 187 (93.0%) in Poland. Of 59 (31.5%) tested positive in Poland, 24 were post-DAA therapy in Ukraine. Of 35 who were tested with PCR in Poland, 10 had undetectable HCV RNA, 25 had detectable HCV RNA of whom 10 already went through DAA therapy, Figure 3.Figure 3.HCV testing and treatment for Ukrainian refugees registered to care in Warsaw Conclusion Standardized protocol proved to be an efficient for medical data exchange. Viral suppression among Ukrainian refugees on ART decreased slightly, but in general remained high and improved with time. Routine HCV screening is a necessity, especially because there are no restrains to DAA treatment access in Poland.Figure 4.Antiretroviral therapy switches among refugees registered to care in Warsaw Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Sustainable Migration and Depopulation: A Methodological Proposal From the Perspective of the SDGs

ABSTRACTSustainable development requires orderly migratory flows that avoid the resulting socio‐economic tensions in the countries of origin and destination. Issues such as climate, armed conflicts and the lack of job stability encourage human displacement towards large cities, simultaneously generating problems of human densification at the destination and depopulation in the abandoned areas. In this study, we analyzed the link between the determinants of quality of life and immigration, with the aim of identify the factors that need to be strengthened in the “emptied” territories and, in this way, achieve a reasonable distribution of the population. We use a methodological advance of the random forest in order to correctly address the complexity and variability of the data. The study is limited to Spain's 19 autonomous regions, which suffer from both depopulation and overpopulation, covering a broad period that guarantees the robustness of the results (2008–2021). There is evidence of the importance of the labor market, health and education in the settlement of migrants. Decision‐makers need to strengthen these aspects in under‐inhabited areas by directing financial resources towards enhancing their attractiveness. This will make it possible to redirect this human exodus by re‐establishing the economic and social order of the territories as a whole.

Loneliness, lack of support, and educational challenges: teachers’ experiences working with refugee children

For the first time, Lithuania has faced such a flow of refugee families with children, and it is natural that until now there is not enough experience and research in the education of refugee children in Lithuania. Until now, the focus has been on the integration and socialization of refugees, with very little attention paid to the education of refugee children in early childhood education settings. The education of refugee children and the opportunities to provide it globally became more important in 2022 when Ukrainian refugees were forced to flee their homes because of the war. This paper aims to reveal the experiences of Lithuanian teachers who, as soon as the war started, received refugee children in their classes without any prior information or adequate preparation. A study was carried out to uncover preschool teachers’ experiences of working with refugee children, so the following research questions are raised - what are the experiences of preschool teachers working with children with refugee status? What challenges do preschool teachers face? How do preschool teachers work with refugee children without official descriptions prepared by the State of Lithuania? A thematic analysis was applied. The results of the study revealed that pre-school teachers faced different educational challenges when educating refugee children: lack of foreign language skills, cultural differences, lack of support from professionals when working with refugee children, etc. The study found that teachers were intensively choosing self-initiated learning to improve their professional knowledge in order to ensure a quality education process for refugee children in early childhood education institutions. Teachers independently searched for suitable materials for the education of refugee children and adapted existing programs and guidelines to refugee children in their groups.

Revocation nation: the rule of law and precarious legal status in Norway

ABSTRACT In response to increased numbers of refugee claimants in 2015, the Norwegian government introduced restrictive measures aimed, in part, at deterring future arrivals. These included the mandatory cessation of refugee status when conditions underpinning the grant of asylum have changed. Unlike in Denmark, however, group-based cessation practices have not remained a distinct priority for immigration authorities. Instead, protection reviews are entangled with efforts to combat fraud in the immigration system, and stricter conditions for settlement. The interaction of these measures prolongs temporary residence status and intensifies the possibility of deportation for previously secure immigrant groups. In this article I analyze how precarious status is consolidated through three mechanisms collectively referred to as ‘revocation’ in national law and practice: cessation assessments, the revocation of residence permits, and denaturalization. I then outline two dilemmas that revocation practice poses from a rule of law perspective. I conclude that legal certainty, a core rule of law value, can only be secured by introducing an ‘end date’ to uncertainty. This could be achieved by lifting the threat of cessation after a limited period of time and by introducing a statute of limitations for revocation based on fraud.

Medicinal Plant Use in North Karelia, Finland, in the 2010s.

Finnish North Karelia is a region with a rich cultural history of ethnomedicinal plant use, shaped by centuries of interactions among various ethnic groups. This study identified both similarities and divergences between local Finns, Karelians war refugees, and individuals of mixed origin compared to historical records. Based on 67 semi-structured interviews, we documented the use of 43 medicinal plant taxa from 25 families, of which 31 remain in use. Notably, the number of medicinal plants continuously used in North Karelia is considerably lower than in other parts of Europe, with less than 25% of historically utilised species still in practice, which reflects the fragile state of this knowledge. Factors such as forced relocation, the loss of traditional lands, and the need to adapt to new environments might have contributed to this decline. Another influencing factor is official healthcare attitudes, which have prompted Finnish residents to shift from traditional herbal remedies to modern medical practices. Understanding the circulation of ethnomedicinal knowledge and its transformation over time is essential for identifying pathways to revitalise these practices within the framework of modern healthcare systems and cultural revitalisation efforts.

Refugee status as taboo: how humanitarian intervention impeded refugee recognition in Vietnam before the Orderly Departure Program (1979)

The management of the Vietnamese refugee crisis, when the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) resettled approximately three million refugees between 1975 and 1997, remains a cornerstone of UNHCR’s self-representation and an oft-cited example of successful intervention to this day. However, the focus on resettlement obscures the fact that UNHCR’s engagement in Vietnam started well before the end of the war, in 1973, in the form of humanitarian aid. This essay argues that UNHCR’s early engagement with Vietnam intended to realize the organization’s international ambitions, namely, to further globalize its reach. After its successful war of decolonization, Vietnam attained a special position in the Global South as well as in the communist bloc that allowed UNHCR to build new relationships beyond the West. The essay makes extensive use of archival material, not only from UNHCR’s archives and Western countries, such as the United States and Great Britain, but also from the Vietnamese National Archives, to show how in these early stages the usage of the word “refugee” became a taboo for UNHCR officials and the communist Vietnamese authorities alike. This reluctance to recognize those leaving Vietnam as refugees impeded their chance at protection, while it allowed UNHCR to intervene in the crisis on behalf of the Vietnamese government. Hence, rather than a saviour of refugees from Vietnam, UNHCR let its own interests prevail, violating its mandate to protect refugees. Examining international crisis management and foreign intervention in Vietnam, this essay demonstrates that UNHCR attempted to exploit the crisis to exponentially expand its own size and globalize its reach to both the post-colonial and the communist worlds. Paradoxically, only when UNHCR changed course, adopting the Orderly Departure Program of 1979, did the Office expand to become one of the leading agencies within the UN system.

Fostering entrepreneurship in Poland: how psychological safety and social adaptation empower Ukrainian women war refugees

The article aims to identify the importance of psychological safety of Ukrainian refugee women in the process of social adaptation, in order to develop entrepreneurship in this group. The manuscript presents the results of exploratory research in the form of focus group interviews. The analysis of the collected research material reveals the complexity and multidimensionality of the category of psychological safety and its importance for the adaptation of Ukrainian refugee women and the support of their entrepreneurial activities. In addition, it contributes to the understanding of these interrelationships, with actions such as building trust, minimizing risks, strengthening self-confidence and providing appropriate support. The results gathered also carry practical implications, in particular regarding initiatives to build psychological safety of Ukrainian refugee women, fostering social adaptation and entrepreneurial development.

Mental Health Assessment of the Population: Study Protocol of the MAP Research Program in Ukraine (MAP-U) and in Zurich (MAP-Z).

To conduct mental health surveillance in adults in Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees (Canton of Zurich, Switzerland) as an actionable scientific foundation for public mental health and mental healthcare. Mental Health Assessment of the Population (MAP) is a research program including prospective, population-based, digital cohort studies focused on mental health monitoring. The study aims to include 17,400 people from the general population of Ukraine, 1,220 Ukrainians with refugee status S residing in the canton of Zurich, and 1,740 people from the Zurich general population. The primary endpoints are prevalence and incidence of symptoms of: posttraumatic stress disorder (measured by PCL-5), depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), and alcohol use disorder (AUDIT). Secondary endpoints include participants' health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L and EQ-VAS), experiences of somatic distress syndrome (PHQ-15), social isolation, social integration, and mental wellbeing (SWEMWBS). Baseline assessment starts in March 2024 with follow-ups occurring every 3months for at least 2years. MAP will generate reliable, comparable, and high-quality epidemiological data to inform public mental health and healthcare policies in the Ukrainian population. https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN17240415.

A Looming Crisis: Exploring the Precarious Legal Status of ‘Climate Refugees’ Under International and Human Rights Law

As climate change worsens, millions of people around the world will be displaced, further exacerbating conflicts and resource scarcity. In recent years, individuals displaced by climate change have sought legal recognition as 'climate refugees' under the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1951. This paper argues that the Convention, originally designed to address persecution-based displacement, lacks provisions for those fleeing environmental crises. This paper explores alternative legal frameworks relating to the status of 'climate refugees' under international and domestic law, with a focus on recent judicial opinions. It also examines alternative frameworks for refugee claims, including human rights treaties, as well as regional agreements such as the 1984 Cartagena Declaration on Refugees and the 2009 African Union Kampala Convention. These mechanisms offer potential pathways for recognizing and protecting those displaced by climate change beyond the narrow definition of the 1951 Refugee Convention. The paper concludes that regional agreements, modeled after the Kampala Convention, provide the most practical and enforceable solutions for addressing the complex legal challenges posed by climate-induced displacement.

Social Support Increases Resilience and Affect in Non-Displaced Ukrainians and Refugees After a Year of War.

This study investigates the impact of social support on resilience and affect among Ukrainian individuals affected by war (non-displaced persons and refugees), one year after the onset of the conflict. A total of 344 participants were recruited and categorized into two groups: non-displaced individuals and refugees. Measures included the Scale of Positive and Negative Experience (SPANE), the Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Rigorous back-translation was conducted for the BRCS and MSPSS to ensure solid psychometric properties. Findings revealed higher levels of both positive and negative affect in the non-displaced group compared to refugees, along with significant disparities in perceived social support. Path modeling using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) demonstrated the interconnections between the studied variables. It is worth noting that the 'family' subscale of the MSPSS emerged as the most influential predictor of affect. Social support demonstrated an effect on resilience and affect. Resilience was identified as a dynamic and potentially mediating factor. This underscores the importance of social support networks, particularly familial support, in promoting well-being among populations affected by conflict.

Transmitted HIV-1 Drug Resistance in Estonian Residents and Ukrainian Refugees in 2020 and 2022.

We investigated the prevalence of drug resistance mutations (DRMs) in individuals newly diagnosed with HIV-1 in Estonia in 2020 and 2022, and in Ukrainian war refugees living with HIV who arrived in Estonia in 2022. HIV-1 genomic RNA was sequenced in protease-reverse transcriptase and integrase regions. DRMs were determined separately by Stanford University CPR Tool and HIVdb Program. REGA HIV-1 Subtyping Tool and phylogenetic analysis were used for subtyping. Both regions were successfully sequenced in 79 and 53 individuals in 2020 and 2022 populations, respectively. The DRM rates were 11.4% [95% CI, 5.3-20.5%] in 2020 and 13.2% [95% CI 5.5-25.3%] in 2022. There was a low percentage of resistance to integrase inhibitors (INSTIs): 3.8% [95% CI, 0.8-10.7] in 2020 and 1.9% [95% CI, 0.05-10.1] in 2022. Most Ukrainian war refugees had undetectable VL (57/88, 65%), were women (63%) and majority were infected with subtype A6 viruses. The overall DRM rate for Ukrainian population was 11.5%. Identifying HIV DRMs using HIVdb Program combined with CPR tools gives comprehensive overview of transmitted drug resistance. Resistance testing might be necessary before initiating ART, if the first-line treatment does not include PI or second-generation INSTIs.

Generative AI and Its Potential Impact on Humanity

ABSTRACTThis study explores the evolving circumstances of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and its implications for humanity. A central question guides this exploration: “What is humanity in a world with human‐like machines?” as proposed by Suleyman (2023). Multiple streams of literature have been integrated to employ a holistic approach. This includes an extensive literature review and analysis of recent developments, incorporating insights from various sources and experts in key domains such as AI, AI singularity, ethics, digital transformation, human‐machine collaboration, and societal implications. While rapid advancements in generative AI have captured widespread attention, with a particular emphasis on its positive potential, it is equally vital to address its potential negative impacts, including human displacement, lower wages, and increased power and income inequality (Farina, Yu, and Lavazza 2024). Despite varying scholarly perspectives on the concept of generative AI, there is a consensus that it significantly impacts humans and society and requires careful consideration. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the European Parliament highlight the global significance of addressing its challenges. From a practical perspective, these insights have enormous implications for governments, business leaders, scholars, and society.

Revolutionizing Manufacturing: The Role of Robotics in the 21<sup>st</sup> Century

The Industrial robotics sector is experiencing rapid growth driven by the escalating need for automation across various industries. This review systematically analyses the prevailing trends, challenges, and future directions of robotic technologies within the manufacturing sector. This review article delves into the prevailing trends, inherent challenges, and future directions of robotic technologies in the manufacturing sector. The study employed a comprehensive literature review and case analysis, focusing on key robotic methodologies such as collaborative robots (cobots), digital twin (DT) technology, and machine vision systems integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) for enhanced performance optimisation. Through the methodological approach of synthesising case studies and empirical findings from leading enterprises such as Amazon and DHL, this review leverages logistics robots, including autonomous pick-and-place systems, to enhance operational efficiency in their warehouse. Additionally, the integration of machine vision systems powered by convolutional neural networks (CNN) enables precise object recognition and positioning, fostering a collaborative human-robot interaction framework. Key findings indicate that cobots are increasingly pivotal in augmenting industrial efficiency while maintaining safety in human-robot collaboration. Furthermore, Digital Twin technology has proven instrumental in simulating real-time manufacturing environments, optimising assembly line performance and predictive maintenance strategies. However, several challenges persist, including the difficulty of programming robots to handle complex objects and the complexities of balancing human and robot activities in synchronised tasks. Despite the advantages of these robotic systems, significant challenges remain. A significant hurdle lies in programming robots to accurately identify and manipulate complex objects, often necessitating iterative trial-and-error methods. Besides that, balancing the assembly line and effectively scheduling the robotics and human activities is important. Additionally, industrial robots face technological limitations, including the complexity of multitasking, alongside social and ethical concerns. The review concludes that while industrial robots have revolutionised many aspects of manufacturing, ongoing research is required to overcome technological limitations, such as multitasking capabilities and ethical concerns related to human labour displacement. Anticipated advancements in robotics and AI are expected to enhance manufacturing efficiency further and expand robotic applications beyond traditional industrial settings in the coming years.

(Non-)Return of Ukrainian War Refugees: Modeling Repatriation Using Logistic Regression

Підсумовуючи основні напрями досліджень вимушеної міграції за останні двадцять п’ять років вчені данського незалежного інституту міжнародних досліджень Stepputat and Sørensen (2014) виокремлюють такі, як (1) проблема чіткого розмежування між добровільною та вимушеною міграцією через або нові сфери та процеси, де це розмежування важко провести, або втрату аналітичного сенсу у такому розмежуванні; (2) відсутність теоретичного осмислення та концептуальної складності в галузі досліджень вимушеної міграції; (3) тенденція обмежувати дослідження вимушеної міграції політичними питаннями. Проте, варто зазначити, що теоретичний підхід до вимушеної міграції повинен враховувати глобальний контекст, де політичні та економічні фактори взаємодіють, створюючи умови для масових переміщень людей. Дане дослідження є суголосним означеним напрямам і має на меті побудову прогнозних моделей репатріації українців на основі чинників вимушеної міграції, які знижують рівень їхнього повернення в Україну. Тоді як більшість досліджень спрямовані на вивчення мотивів міграції (van Tubergen et al., 2024), наше дослідження спрямоване на виявлення причин повернення мігрантів, тобто чинників реміграції.

Migrants and refugees between sociology and law: Mental health and integration strategies for the most fragile individuals

ObjectivesThe contribution aims to carry out a socio-anthropological and juridical analysis of the issues concerning the status of migrants and refugees, in order to identify the strategies prepared by the Italian State regarding the protection of the mental health of migrants and refugees and the prospects for integration and legal protection of the most fragile subjects.Material and methodsThe research will be conducted through a terminological analysis to understand the meaning of the italian words 'migrante' and 'rifugiato' and then examine the influences of supranational legislation on Italian legislation on this topic. In particular, reference will be made to recent Italian legislation and strategies for the integration of the most fragile subjects and for the protection of the mental health of migrants and refugees.ResultsFrom the updated framework of supranational and Italian legislation, and of migratory flows, it is hoped that we can contribute to identifying the most suitable strategies for effective integration of the most fragile subjects involved in migratory flows.ConclusionsIn light of these brief remarks made, it is clear that promoting the health of migrants and refugees, reorienting health policies, strengthening the skills of health workers, and improving information systems for collecting, analyzing and sharing data, means guaranteeing a fundamental right, which is in line with the goal of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to leave no one behind, promoting mental health and well-being for all.