Migrants: Piantedosi, government has reduced arrivals and increased repatriations

Rome, 8 January (LaPresse) – “During the 17th legislature, when the left won the elections and governed the country for five years, various naval operations were organised, “Mare Nostrum”, “Triton” and “Sofia”, which facilitated the arrival of over 650,000 illegal immigrants in Italy. In those years, compared to today, crimes committed were 18% higher; murders were even 33% higher; three times as many migrants landed, and three times as many died at sea; only 2.5% of those who landed in Italy were repatriated, compared to the 10% we are able to repatriate today thanks to our policies to strengthen repatriation centres, which now have more than twice as many places; over 30% of police officers retired without being replaced.” This was Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi’s response during Question Time in the Senate. “In short, all the security data was significantly worse than it is today. Not only is this government achieving encouraging results on the security front, I believe, but it has also drastically reduced landings and increased repatriations by 12% each year, which now total nearly 7,000 per year. I believe that there is certainly still much to be done. Even a single criminal incident touches our consciences and commits us to doing even more and better. But I respond to the question by saying that, on the contrary, the policies of this Executive are showing signs of effectiveness, and I feel motivated to continue with further initiatives in the near future, which I trust will also have the support of those asking the questions,” concluded Piantedosi.