Abolishing the crime of illegal
immigration would be "an error" in current circumstances, the
Lower House whip for the centre-right Area Popolare caucus
Maurizio Lupi said Friday.
"If anyone enters Italy and is not a genuine refugee, they
must be sent back," Lupi said in reference to an impending
decree by Italian Premier Matteo Renzi to depenalise illegal
immigration.
"On the one hand we must continue to welcome genuine asylum
seekers, but on the other hand we must send out a strong
signal," he warned.
"After what happened in Germany, in light of what's
happening across Europe, we must send a signal that Italy is
going in a different direction."
Area Popolare is mainly composed of the New Centre Right
(NCD) party, the junior partner in Renzi's right-left
government.
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