The drastic drop in migrant landings in Italy and the tightening on migrants due to the country's new security decree are resulting in a significant decrease in asylum requests. In December, requests were down 27%, with 2,753 requests, compared to 3,784 requests in November.
The Italian government's security decree, which was recently made law, together with a drastic drop in migrant arrivals to the country, have led to a significant decrease in the number of asylum requests being submitted in the country.
In December, there were 2,753 requests filed (2,139 men, 614 women, and 61 unaccompanied minors), which was a 27 percent decrease on November, when 3,784 requests were filed.
Denials, however, are on the rise. In December, 5,870 asylum requests were denied, representing 82 percent of all requests that month. In November 80 percent of requests were denied, and in October, 74 percent were denied.
Humanitarian protection is at its lowest level ever, after being canceled by Salvini's security decree. In December, only 3 percent of applicants received humanitarian protection, compared to 5 percent in November and 13 percent in October.
10% receive refugee status in December
Italian Interior Ministry data show that prior to a circular drafted by Salvini last July, humanitarian protection was the most-requested form of protection, used by 28 percent of asylum seekers. In December, refugee status was given to 10 percent of asylum seekers, and subsidiary protection was granted to 5 percent of asylum seekers. The cancellation of subsidiary protection - which was substituted by special annual permits granted for health reasons, natural disasters, etc. - therefore barred what had become the main way for asylum seekers to obtain a two-year stay permit.
Pakistanis most numerous asylum seekers in December
Salvini's intention is for those who aren't granted any type of protection to be held in detention at repatriation centres (CPR). Currently, however, the CPR system has an overall capacity of only about 700, and agreements for repatriation are limited to four countries.
In December, Pakistanis were the most numerous of the asylum seekers (790), followed by Nigerians (209), Bangladeshis (197), Ukrainians (136), and Senegalese (111).