A new and illegal practice has been revealed by the associations ASGI, APN and Naga. Thanks to the testimony of migrants, lawyers and social workers, the associations were able to uncover conduct taking place in the Questura police station in Milan that seriously violates the rights of the asylum seekers.

According to the witness accounts, a rather precise procedure has been set down in Milan's Questura station. Arriving to apply for asylum, refugees must first fill in a small, seemingly insignificant questionnaire, but in fact it will have huge consequences for them.

With this questionnaire, a screening is conducted to determine – with no legal basis whatsoever – if migrants came to Italy for economic reasons or humanitarian protection. In the first case, refugees immediately receive an expulsion order with absolutely no possibility of filing the asylum request. This is a violation of international law.

Lack of support for asylum seekers

But that is not all. To easily perform the screening, the access to the offices where refugees submit their asylum applications is restricted to lawyers and social workers. A lack of interpreters was also reported.

Obviously, without any assistance or support, refugees are more vulnerable and uninformed about their rights, and thus they can be tricked very easily.

This situation is truly alarming. Besides the illegality and immorality, it is very disturbing that such a practice could be established with total impunity in an institution of the Italian public administration. A letter complaining about this irregular behavior and asking for clarifications has been sent to authorities.