Immigration in Italy between First and Second Republic. From the Reception Policies to the Emergency Management of Migrations (1980-2018)

This paper aims to analyze the Italian migration policies of the last thirty years by using statistical data. We would like to underline how these policies are not related to the actual arrivals, and how the Italian governments looked at this phenomenon, mostly, as a threat to public order. It is possible to highlight a first phase (1980-1990), during which laws are << exceptional >> or administrative acts aimed to manage the foreigners incoming and their rights related to the job market needs. A second phase (1990-2001), with a more systematic framework for migration management; a third phase (2002-2011), during which laws have been changed in a more restrictive and repressive sense. Since 2011 the fast changes in Middle East and Arab world have triggered new arrivals across the Mediterranean and the populist government elected in 2018, launched a new decree that restricts the possibilities to accept asylum seekers.