A new approach to citizenship is dividing Italy’s right-wing political parties. Anyone who studies in Italy for a few years could soon be eligible for citizenship, providing young immigrants with new opportunities.
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00:00Rapping to release their pent-up frustration instead of suppressing it.
00:06The children of immigrants in Italy, who want their identities to be recognized by the state.
00:17Sonny Olumadi takes us on a scooter ride through Rome.
00:20He was born here.
00:22This is his home.
00:24His parents are from Nigeria.
00:26A child is only legally recognized as Italian if at least one parent has citizenship.
00:33Immigrant children born in Italy like Sonny Olumadi have the right to apply for citizenship
00:38at the age of 18 if they've lived continuously in Italy.
00:42But Sonny says the authorities keep demanding new documents.
00:46The dancer still doesn't have an Italian passport.
00:52You're treated like you don't even have a residence permit.
00:55It's a paradox.
00:59I was born here, went to school here, grew up here.
01:03I even represent Italy at international dance competitions.
01:10Sonny Olumadi is an author, choreographer and dancer.
01:14He's won several awards and is a celebrity in Italy.
01:18But as a black person without an Italian passport, he says he experiences discrimination.
01:23He's also subjected to restrictions while traveling, job hunting and securing housing.
01:28And he can't vote.
01:32For years, Klara Asma had to endure the same situation.
01:35Her parents fled Albania for Italy.
01:37She was born in Puglia, but because she spent three years in Albania as a small child, she
01:42had to apply for naturalization.
01:44It took six years to be approved.
01:48The scars that this path to get citizenship leaves to you, they stay there forever.
01:56They are scars of frustration, of pain, of not acceptance, of not belonging to your country
02:02that then you see in other two million people.
02:07Now there's a glimmer of hope, thanks to Sonny and Klara.
02:11With the help of other activists, they've collected enough signatures for a petition
02:15that could trigger a referendum.
02:16And if Italy's highest court approves, it could be held next year.
02:22Currently to apply for citizenship, you must reside in Italy for ten years.
02:26The activists want this to be reduced to five years, which is the current law in Germany
02:31and France.
02:38Our common goal is to create a more fair and just society in which everyone has the same
02:42rights and there are no first and second class citizens.
02:46And reforming the citizenship law is part of this.
02:51The young people want to use the referendum to bypass the Italian parliament, where Giorgia
02:56Maloney's right-wing conservative coalition is known for its hard-line position against
03:00migration.
03:02One coalition partner, Forza Italia, has recently indicated it may be open to changes in citizenship
03:08law, but they have rejected the idea of a referendum.
03:17Five years isn't enough time, especially when it doesn't require any kind of cultural integration
03:23course.
03:24So we absolutely don't agree, and that's why we've already said we're going to oppose the
03:30referendum.
03:37Amir Issa believes the referendum and the change are overdue.
03:41As one of the most influential rappers on Italy's hip-hop scene, he believes the politicians
03:46need to be forced into action.
03:49Amir Issa says he was the only child with an immigrant background in the Roman neighborhood
03:53where he grew up.
03:54Now immigrant children are an integral part of Italian society.
04:00A lot of people in Italy, especially the old generation, don't accept that change.
04:08A lot of people associate Italian culture, Italian tradition, with a typical color of
04:15skin, with a typical, but in 2024, this is a stupid thing.
04:23In the evening, Amir Issa performs in front of fellow rappers in a former factory.
04:28The performer's songs are a reflection of his personal experiences, and his lyrics are
04:33politically charged.
04:34You don't understand I was born here are the lyrics of one verse.
04:41Like many others in the audience, activist Clara Asma can empathize.
04:49We need to show them that we need a change, and then they cannot ignore us anymore.
04:53These kids build the future of this nation, and for me, these kids, it's Italian, with
05:01mixed blood maybe, like me.
05:04Italy is changing.
05:05Amir Issa says that young people with a migrant background who were born here could contribute
05:10to the country's future, if only they were welcome.