Displaced Again and Again, Some African Migrants Had No Plan to Land in Italy

Despite the Mediterranean journey’s many dangers and a hostile welcome on arrival, Italy remains a destination of hope for refugees. Warm weather and expanding conflict in North Africa is increasing the numbers attempting the crossing of the Mediterranean to land on Italian shores. Laborers who worked in Libya and had no plans of heading to Europe suggest their only option is fleeing expanding conflict and worsening poverty for Italy, explains Jim Yardley for the New York Times. Some groups like the Syrians and Eritreans, the two largest groups traveling to Italy last year, have networks of support. Migrant workers explain they dare not risk travel through conflict zones to return to homes in the south. The mass waves of immigration have left thousands dead in recent years and divided Europe: “A group of Italian mayors recently tried to block plans by the national government to distribute migrants to detention centers around the country,” Yardley reports. “Italy has also been criticized for allowing many Syrians and Eritreans to pass through and apply for asylum in northern Europe, a violation of European Union policy.” The migrants explain they simply seek jobs and stability. – YaleGlobal