Juridical protection of foreigners in Italy and in Europe

Abstract

Immigration is an old phenomenon but since the end of the last century, and especially during the last twenty years, it has become a veritable social and political problem for Europe and for the West in general. Jurists, historians and politicians are all witnessing the strong pressure which the latest waves of immigrants are exerting at the doorsteps of united Europe and of the more industrialized countries, like North America and Japan. In spite of this, however, from the juridical point of view the phenomenon of immigration is a quaestio nova, a new problem, especially for Europe. In fact in the past immigration used to be typical of certain situations, like those of England, France and Germany, either as a result of their having been colonial countries or for their rapid rate of industrialization and for the growth of their home labour market. [excerpt]