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Commentary Recognise full rights of second generation immigrants
Recognise full rights of second generation immigrants
Thursday, 03 June 2010 06:05 | 
No one can deny the fact that second generation immigrants face numerous challenges on their long road to integration.
Dreams, aspirations, generational and cultural difficulties of the second generation immigrants are not so different from those of their Italian counterparts.
They all share dreams and aspirations regardless of their skin colour and their parents’ origin.
Second generation immigrants feel part and parcel of the host society, even though most of the time they are treated as outsiders. This persistent feeling of exclusion may make them resent the host society.
Integration of second generation immigrants requires proper policies. This particular group needs special attention. Unfortunately, policy makers quite often concentrate of fighting against illegal immigration instead of coming up with policies to promote integration of those already in the country legally.
It is wrong to think that it is easier for second generation immigrants to integrate because they were either born here or have lived here since their childhood. Many tend to think that since the second generation immigrants already speak Italian and know the country’s culture, it is easier for them to be integrated into the Italian society. To some extent this could be true, but it is important to take into consideration the bureaucratic procedures most of them still undergo in order to be allowed to remain in the country. Also the fact that these people are considered foreigners reminds them that they are outsiders.
It was a bit easier for the first generation immigrants to find jobs because they easily accepted those despised and abandoned by Italians. They were and are still quite invisible because they do jobs which deny them visibility (for instance, they work in factories, clean and or wash plates in restaurants, take care of the elderly and children, etc).
Because they don’t consider themselves different from Italians, second generation immigrants will find it very difficult to do these types of jobs. They’ve gone to school here, speak the language, know their rights (even though they are often violated), etc.
Nobody should think that the second generation immigrants will be ready to accept jobs which Italians no longer accept. They’ll not allow the society to treat them differently from their Italian friends with whom they’ve grown up. Unlike their parents, they’ll not settle for what is rejected. As new citizens, they’ll seek the best and give their best for the development of the Italian society.
Their having suffered exclusion has made them aware of how it feels when one’s rights are violated. They’ve grown up aware of social and political injustice and are prepared to fight against such vices. Their quest for political roles will in fact be based on these experiences. As part and parcel of the society, they’ll make their voice heard, demand political rights and will vie for positions to run the country.
Recognising full rights of second generation immigrants and treating them as Italians is a delicate but extremely important step in overcoming social tension and laying foundation for a socially inclusive society.
Today fear of diversity is a root cause of social tensions in Italy. This is fuelled by continuous attempts to link immigrants to crime.
Lack of integration policies leads to creation of ghettos for immigrants, exclusion, fear of diversity, etc. Some of these things are already visible, from the bullying of immigrants in schools to some parents prohibiting their children from dating sons or daughters of immigrants.
Integration policy must be accompanied by social assistance, efficient system of handling renewal of Permits of Stay, open dialogue and cultural negotiation between Italians and immigrants, and recognition of immigrants’ right to vote and obtain citizenship.
It is equally important for the public to be accurately informed of the roles immigrants play in the Italian society. This is an effective way of helping Italians appreciate the important contributions immigrants make to the running of the country’s economy.
By Eugine Otieno