Davide Ippolito – founder of ilNewyorkese – meets the Honorable Christian Di Sanzo, MP elected in the Overseas Constituency (North and Central America), to delve into one of the most discussed issues of the moment by Italians abroad: the recent decree-law on citizenship. Approved on May 20, the measure has raised strong reactions and concerns within the Italian communities in the United States and Canada, particularly among the younger generation of expats.
Hon. Di Sanzo, let’s go in order: what were the steps that brought us here?
“This is a really important issue that strongly impacts our Italian communities abroad. So this is an opportunity to inform our compatriots in the United States, in Canada, throughout North and Central America, because this measure directly affects them.
When there was a press conference by Minister Tajani on March 28, a decree approved in the Council of Ministers was being presented, which took effect at midnight the previous day. This decree drew a dividing line between those who had already filed for citizenship before that date and those who would do so later, between those who had already obtained recognition and those who had not.
We, parliamentarians elected abroad, had not been informed. Neither had the General Council of Italians Abroad, which, by statute, should be compulsorily consulted by the government on measures affecting Italians living abroad.
It was then the press conference of Minister Tajani-who attributed himself, together with President Giorgia Meloni, with the authorship of this measure-that gave news of the decision, taken without any involvement of Parliament.”
Let’s say it is an extraordinary measure in some ways. How do you explain it?
“When taking action on such a fundamental law-the law on citizenship is the foundation of the Italian Republic and establishes who is a citizen and what rights and duties derive from it-it is very rare to use an instrument such as the decree-law that is designed for situations of necessity and urgency.
This issue has existed for a great many years, so there was no real urgency to justify such sudden action. It would have been more correct to initiate a parliamentary discussion through a government bill that would have had a longer, but also more participatory and democratic process.
Instead, the decree-law must be converted within 60 days, with a very tight time frame, and this has compressed the debate, which in fact has not been there.”
Speaking as an expat: won’t my grandchildren have Italian citizenship?
“If your children were born in the United States and have always lived there, their children-thus your grandchildren-will not be entitled to Italian citizenship. It is lost as early as the second generation.
It is a very strong limitation, and I must say rather unbelievable because of how this measure came about. We, as the Democratic Party, have tabled numerous amendments and tried to promote a broad debate, both in the Senate and in the House where we had a long and articulate session with several speeches, by myself and other Democratic Party parliamentarians elected abroad.
Fratelli d’Italia and Forza Italia, on the other hand, have defended the measure to the hilt, carrying it through without concessions.
The practical result is that the children of those born and living abroad-so, in fact, most of even the children of new emigrants-will not be able to pass on Italian citizenship to their children. The only exception is if they move to live in Italy for at least two continuous years before the birth of their child.”
So many parents have written to us, “My child is 8-9-10 months old (depending on the case), I haven’t filed yet. How long do I have to apply for citizenship?”
“With the new decree, a constraint has been introduced: children must be registered with the consulate within one year of birth.
Until now, registration could be done until the child turned 18. With this new rule, the time has been drastically shortened, and for this, a transitional provision has been made: for all minor children already born, there is time until May 31, 2026 to register them.
I therefore make an appeal to all readers of the New Yorker’s Network: if you have friends or relatives with young children born in the United States, Canada or North America, urge them to register them at the consulate as soon as possible. It is really important to do this within the deadline.”
This measure has a huge impact on the entire Italian community abroad. What can be done now, concretely? And what are you elected parliamentarians abroad doing? I think, in this case, also in a bipartisan way, since this is an issue of direct responsibility to those who elected you…
“Actually, unlike other issues in this case the cross-party agreement was not there.
Parliamentarians from Fratelli d’Italia, Lega and Forza Italia defended this measure, claiming its contents during the debate in Parliament. For them it represents a return to the idea of homeland, a kind of identity recovery, and they are proud to have promoted it. They consider it a fundamental, untouchable law.
We, on the other hand, are examining the unconstitutionality profiles of the decree, because there are elements that conflict with previous legislation and also with some constitutional principles. It interrupts, in fact, an acquired right for many people who had initiated or concluded citizenship practices, and this raises very serious doubts.
We will explore all legal possibilities, but we do not expect any legislative changes as long as this government, which has compactly defended the rule, remains in office.”
