The number of illegal immigrants arriving in Italy has doubled compared to 2007, reports Lenta.ru citing BBC News.
According to the Italian Interior Ministry, in the first seven months of 2008, the number of migrants who entered Europe through Italy exceeded 15,000 people. Most of them are natives of North African countries, crossing the Mediterranean Sea on small boats.
In this regard, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi organized a campaign against illegal immigrants. In particular, the maximum penalty for illegal border crossing was increased to four years in prison.
It is reported that the number of deportations of illegal migrants from Italy in 2008 increased by 15% compared to the previous year. However, the situation is complicated by the fact that many countries refuse to take migrants back.
The coast of Italy is the final point of the route for many illegal immigrants from Africa seeking to enter Europe.