ITALY'S CHALLENGES IN INTEGRATING ITS MIGRANT COMMUNITY: A CASE STUDY

Abstract

This thesis examines the integration policies adopted by Italy, focusing on the period from 2009 to the present. Following the enactment of the immigration law 189/02, "Bossi-Fini", numerous decrees were issued to contrast immigration rather than promote the integration of the migrant community in Italy. In analyzing the case study, the thesis defines the key concepts such as "integration" and "immigration", providing a theoretical basis for the study. It then traces immigration history in Italy from the 1970s to the early 2000s, emphasizing legislative evolution and the shifting social attitudes towards migrants. Finally, it illustrates the case study regarding Italy's challenges in integrating its immigrant communities. The case study investigates the recent factors that influence integration, such as the prevailing emergency attitude and the spread of new nationalism. Then, it analyses the security decrees of 2008 and 2009 and the political debate on citizenship. This approach aims to identify the complexity and obstacles within Italy's integration process.