According to RIA Novosti, the Italian Council of Ministers recently approved a package of measures concerning security in the country. In particular, one of the bills, which will subsequently have to be approved by the national parliament, provides for the reclassification of illegal immigration as a crime. If an immigrant is illegally on Italian territory and commits a crime, his illegal status will be considered an aggravating circumstance.
The minister emphasized that he does not consider such centers to be prison facilities. According to him, "this is just a place of temporary stay during the identification process and before departure from Italy."
In connection with the introduction of new security measures in the country, Maroni stated that Italy will need more such centers. They will be created in barracks buildings and other state premises in various regions of the country. It will take several months to equip them.
"When the new law takes effect, in two or three months, the centers will already be ready. I believe the new security measures will be effective," said Maroni. The minister also spoke about a plan to create a new DNA database, which they intend to use in solving crimes. "This is about replacing the fingerprint database with a new, more modern system that will help fight crime more effectively, and it concerns not only illegal immigrants but also the criminal world in general," said Maroni.
According to statistics from the Italian Interior Ministry, immigrants, including those from EU countries, lead in the number of serious crimes committed.