In the shadow of the Olympics, migrants search for a welcome in Milan

[ad_1] <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1920x1281+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0f%2Fcf%2Ffca258fe4b0b905bf996faa2d63b%2F058a1990.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1920x1281+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0f%2Fcf%2Ffca258fe4b0b905bf996faa2d63b%2F058a1990.jpg" class="img" alt="Members of an International Rescue Committee (IRC) outreach team patrol the main hall of Milano Centrale railway station during the night. " fetchpriority="high"/> Outreach workforce members of an Worldwide Rescue Committee (IRC), a world humanitarian group, stand outdoors Milano Centrale railway station at night time. The station stays a essential hub for migrants and homeless people searching for momentary refuge from the winter chilly. Valerio Muscella for NPR conceal caption

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Valerio Muscella for NPR MILAN — Three Afghan males stand collectively within the freezing fog outdoors of Milan's central practice station on a latest night time — their first moments in Italy. It took two of them a yr of clandestine border crossings and journeys in smugglers' vans to get to this nation the place they'll declare asylum.

The third Afghan man fled to right here from Germany, the place he had lived and discovered the language for 3 years, earlier than the federal government hardened its stance on irregular migration and allowed deportations of asylum seekers from Afghanistan and Syria.

As Europe's political local weather darkens in opposition to refugees, asylum seekers and financial migrants, with governments together with that of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni focusing assets on limiting new arrivals, Milan is taking a stand for a special method. Town, led by a mayor from a center-left political get together, offers providers and applications to attempt to combine the folks arriving into society.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1920x1440+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc0%2Fdf%2F3f179e4b47b79a8561c33067b87f%2Fdji-0548.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1920x1440+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc0%2Fdf%2F3f179e4b47b79a8561c33067b87f%2Fdji-0548.jpg" class="img" alt="A dense layer of grey smog blankets the Milan skyline during the afternoon, obscuring the horizon behind the city's modern architectural landmarks. The Porta Nuova district, led by the Unicredit Tower, is seen through a thick atmospheric haze caused by the accumulation of fine particles, a recurring environmental challenge in the Po Valley during the winter months. As Italy’s financial hub transitions into the evening, the leaden sky highlights the ongoing struggle with urban air quality and stagnant weather patterns" loading="lazy"/> A dense layer of grey smog blankets the Milan skyline through the afternoon, obscuring the horizon behind the town's fashionable architectural landmarks. As Italy's monetary hub transitions into the night, the leaden sky highlights the continued wrestle with city air high quality and stagnant climate patterns. Valerio Muscella for NPR conceal caption

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Valerio Muscella for NPR "Milan is and desires to be an open metropolis — open to the world and to vary," says Lamberto Bertolé, Milan's commissioner for well being and welfare. "This concept of Europe as a fortress that's closing is pointless as a result of folks discover methods to enter anyway."

Meloni's authorities is spending tens of tens of millions of euros to fund the Tunisian and Libyan coast guards to attempt to forestall irregular migration throughout the Mediterranean Sea to Italy. These patrols typically use violent techniques to cease the smugglers' boats, endangering these on board. Many migrants are positioned in squalid detention facilities in Libya the place the United Nations and human rights teams have documented the widespread use of torture and abuse.

The Italian authorities can also be searching for ever higher restrictions on charities performing search and rescue missions to assist migrants within the Mediterranean Sea.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1920x1281+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Faa%2Fbd%2F9b609301438aaac1290724abaa68%2F058a2213.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1920x1281+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Faa%2Fbd%2F9b609301438aaac1290724abaa68%2F058a2213.jpg" class="img" alt="" loading="lazy"/> Clovis, from Nigeria, lived in Italy as a toddler earlier than shifting to France. He is now again, saying he could not entry college or safe residency there. He is staying at Casa Janucci, run by Milan Metropolis Council with companions together with the Worldwide Rescue Committee. Like for others, he withheld his final identify whereas his asylum case is pending. Valerio Muscella for NPR conceal caption

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Valerio Muscella for NPR These efforts have lowered the variety of folks arriving in Italy by sea in comparison with 2023. However the United Nations refugee company, UNHCR, finds that some 66,316 folks nonetheless got here to the nation this manner final yr.

Bertolé in Milan says the federal government is leaving metropolis councils to deal with the truth of migration in Italy. It has made it more durable for sure migrants to entry social integration applications, and has restricted funds for the shelters. For instance, Bertolé says Milan's metropolis council has needed to discover housing and look after almost 1,000 extra unaccompanied migrant kids than the state offers locations for.

A survey from Italy's Nationwide Institute of Statistics in 2021 discovered that whereas overseas nationals made up about 9% of Italy's inhabitants, they made up nearly 38% of these registered as experiencing homelessness.

"The Meloni authorities's insurance policies push migrants to the margins of a society and this marginalization creates extra pressure inside that society," Bertolé says. "This solely generates extra concern, which inspires the federal government to attempt to shut its borders extra. So it is a vicious circle."

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1920x1281+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1f%2F8f%2F5220784d4f749fee1ce4d6b9411c%2F058a2586.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1920x1281+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1f%2F8f%2F5220784d4f749fee1ce4d6b9411c%2F058a2586.jpg" class="img" alt="Passersby walk past ethnic grocery stores and a money transfer center at the entrance of Via Padova, near Piazzale Loreto, during a grey afternoon. This neighborhood is a key social hub for the city’s large migrant population, hosting a dense network of businesses that cater to diverse international communities. The scene, captured under a leaden sky thick with winter smog, highlights the stark contrast between the city's multicultural outskirts and the nearby financial districts, illustrating the complex social and environmental tapestry of the Italian metropolis" loading="lazy"/> On a grey afternoon, folks move ethnic grocery outlets and a cash switch middle on By way of Padova close to Piazzale Loreto — a hub for Milan's migrant communities. Valerio Muscella for NPR conceal caption

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Valerio Muscella for NPR In Milan, the first website of the Winter Olympics, the place guests paid as a lot a 1,400 euros for a few of the sporting occasions, homelessness is obvious, with many individuals sheltering from the chilly temperatures at night time in wall nooks and out of doors seating areas of closed eating places. That is regardless of a metropolis program providing momentary shelter in chilly durations.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1920x1281+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F12%2F95%2F6f6f8296438aadb46983eaf61831%2F058a1983.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1920x1281+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F12%2F95%2F6f6f8296438aadb46983eaf61831%2F058a1983.jpg" class="img" alt="" loading="lazy"/> Diletta Tanzini, a safety officer with the Worldwide Rescue Committee, in Milan. Valerio Muscella for NPR conceal caption

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Valerio Muscella for NPR <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1920x1281+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0d%2F3d%2F72baacc54847bf69f0e07c316294%2F058a2005.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1920x1281+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0d%2F3d%2F72baacc54847bf69f0e07c316294%2F058a2005.jpg" class="img" alt="Members of an International Rescue Committee (IRC) outreach team patrol the main hall of Milano Centrale railway station during the night. The station remains a critical hub for migrants and homeless individuals seeking temporary refuge from the winter cold. Humanitarian organizations maintain a constant presence in the area to provide medical referrals, legal orientation, and basic necessities to vulnerable populations who often face displacement due to urban decorum policies and restricted access to public spaces in the city's transport hubs" loading="lazy"/> Members of the IRC present medical, authorized and primary help to these pushed from public areas. Valerio Muscella for NPR conceal caption

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Valerio Muscella for NPR <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1920x1281+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F12%2Fb6%2F89a638d04c4d84586653bf70e1cf%2F058a2050.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1920x1281+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F12%2Fb6%2F89a638d04c4d84586653bf70e1cf%2F058a2050.jpg" class="img" alt="Members of an International Rescue Committee (IRC) outreach team patrol the main hall of Milano Centrale railway station during the night. The station remains a critical hub for migrants and homeless individuals seeking temporary refuge from the winter cold. Humanitarian organizations maintain a constant presence in the area to provide medical referrals, legal orientation, and basic necessities to vulnerable populations who often face displacement due to urban decorum policies and restricted access to public spaces in the city's transport hubs" loading="lazy"/> IRC outreach workforce members patrol the primary corridor of Milano Centrale railway station through the night time. Valerio Muscella for NPR conceal caption

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Valerio Muscella for NPR When Diletta Tanzini, safety discipline officer with the Worldwide Rescue Committee, a nongovernmental support group, and translator Islam Abdelkarim Ramadan meet the three Afghan males newly arrived at Milan's central station throughout an everyday night time stroll to assist migrants, they offer them cups of scorching tea and heat gloves, and supply instructions to a welcome middle the place they may discover shelter. "This middle is an enormous present from the town council," says Tanzini.

Throughout city, within the southern outskirts of Milan, the municipality additionally funds Casa dell'Accoglienza Enzo Jannacci, a residential facility for greater than 500 those who homes each migrants and Italians in want. It additionally helps migrants entry state well being care providers in Italy and enroll kids into native colleges as their asylum claims are processed. "The target is to assist folks construct their very own autonomous path," says Anna Pepe, the middle's director.

In a classroom there, artwork trainer Albania Teresa cuts out giant squares of portray paper and passes them to college students. Within the room are migrants from Peru, El Salvador, Afghanistan and Nigeria. An eclectic mixture of African, Latin American and Western music blasts out from a speaker, and 9-year-old Yacob from Tunisia sings a rap within the Italian he has discovered into NPR's microphone.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1281x1920+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3b%2Fb0%2Fe0b6e14d41be911aa0930c046ff5%2F058a2378.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1281x1920+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3b%2Fb0%2Fe0b6e14d41be911aa0930c046ff5%2F058a2378.jpg" class="img" alt="" loading="lazy"/> Trainer Albania Teresa. Valerio Muscella for NPR conceal caption

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Valerio Muscella for NPR For some within the room this can be a second try at settling in a European nation. A Nigerian lady, who asks solely to be recognized as Leila, fearing that talking to the media might have an effect on her asylum declare, says she spent 5 years in Germany along with her two kids — now ages 8 and 5. Her 8-year-old son is within the class along with her and turns into clearly annoyed as Teresa, the artwork trainer, addresses him in Italian, a language he does not but perceive.

In Germany, she and her son had "built-in," Leila explains, saying she had been studying German and coaching to change into a nurse. However final yr, when the nation applied stricter asylum measures, she watched pals get deported and feared this might occur to her and her kids, too. She had spent years making an attempt to return to Europe and had ultimately crossed the Mediterranean in a smuggler's boat from Libya whereas pregnant along with her daughter, and along with her son, then a toddler, by her aspect.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1920x1281+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0f%2Fae%2Fb9ca2d634f9fa078fa4623192556%2F058a2558.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1920x1281+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0f%2Fae%2Fb9ca2d634f9fa078fa4623192556%2F058a2558.jpg" class="img" alt="" loading="lazy"/> Sisters Nicole (left) and Milena, from El Salvador, got here to Italy with their mom. Each wish to go to college in Italy. Valerio Muscella for NPR conceal caption

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Valerio Muscella for NPR <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1920x1281+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa4%2F00%2Fca94d1fd42fd82702610b37782aa%2F058a2318.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1920x1281+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa4%2F00%2Fca94d1fd42fd82702610b37782aa%2F058a2318.jpg" class="img" alt="" loading="lazy"/> An artwork trainer paints with the 8-year-old son of Leila, a Nigerian mom, who did not wish to be photographed. She says he loves Spiderman, as his artwork right here exhibits. Valerio Muscella for NPR conceal caption

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Valerio Muscella for NPR <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1920x1281+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F6b%2Fd1%2Fe4b3509f474790243beaf57c28b8%2F058a2395.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1920x1281+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F6b%2Fd1%2Fe4b3509f474790243beaf57c28b8%2F058a2395.jpg" class="img" alt="" loading="lazy"/> Milena needs to review images and Nicole needs to change into a nurse in a neonatal ward. Valerio Muscella for NPR conceal caption

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Valerio Muscella for NPR "Think about, after taking a really very long time to get to your dream nation and, to be informed that you can be deported again to your property nation after combating for years to get right here," she says. "It is too painful since you fought to be right here."

Leila says she got here to Milan as a result of she heard from pals about this middle and the assistance she and her kids might obtain.

By leaving Germany and claiming asylum in Italy, she's beginning once more. However this time, she hopes, she and her kids will ultimately settle.

Requested how she feels about doing this in a political local weather in Europe the place migrants are more and more unwelcome, she replies: "I wasn't given an choice in heaven to decide on the nation to be born into. Everybody has a imaginative and prescient to have a greater life. And I'm nonetheless making an attempt to have that higher life."