Significant Portion of Migrants in Italy’s SAI Centres from ‘Safe’ Countries

Rome: Nearly 40% of migrants hosted in Italy’s Reception and Integration System (SAI) at the end of 2023 originated from countries listed as ‘safe’ under legislation drafted by Premier Giorgia Meloni’s government late last year. This is according to a report published by NGO ActionAid and the Openpolis foundation.

According to Ansa News Agency, the study identified that 12,169 people in SAI centres at the end of 2023 came from one of 19 countries deemed safe by the government, accounting for 39.3% of the total migrant population in these facilities. The study noted that while the majority of asylum applications from individuals from these ‘safe’ countries are rejected, this is not always the case.

The report highlighted that these territories are not entirely safe, emphasizing that the safety of these countries does not apply universally to everyone. Additionally, the study revealed a 63.9% increase in the number of underage migrants residing in centres for unaccompanied minors (MSNA) in 2023. This included 1,773 minors, making up 26% of all those hosted by the system, a significant increase from just 48 minors in 2020, which represented 1.5% of the migrant population in these centres.

The survey further indicated a rise in the number of women staying at SAI centres for extended periods. From 2014 to 2023, the presence of women in SAI centres increased five-fold, while the number of men did not even double, the report stated.