Access to Italian citizenship is an issue that affects millions of people around the world. Many descendants of emigrants still face a complex bureaucratic system of changing legal interpretations and very long waiting times. Attorney Alessandro Mignacca works every day to assist those who want to obtain recognition of Italian citizenship. “Our vocation is to defend and protect the rights of both Italians living abroad and the descendants of Italians born abroad,” he explains.
In the United States, the history of the Italian community is marked by a process of integration that has led many to renounce their citizenship of origin. “In the United States, especially, most Italians proceeded to apply for U.S. citizenship, also for reasons of integration, as they tended to be marginalized,” Mignacca says. This resulted, for many, in the automatic loss of Italian citizenship, as required by the law then in force.
Some categories of descendants, however, could be granted a right that until now has been denied them. Between 1907 and 1922, women married to American citizens automatically acquired their husband’s citizenship, losing their Italian citizenship. However, according to Italian jurisprudence, this transition was not voluntary, and therefore should not imply loss of citizenship. “Italian women whose husbands acquired American citizenship by naturalization were also naturalized Americans automatically and without their express manifestation of will,” Mignacca explains. This could pave the way for new recognition for their descendants.
The evolution of citizenship norms reflects the social and political changes of the last century. Claudio Brachino asked Mignacca whether recent political trends in the United States could influence the integration process. The lawyer, while pointing out America’s increasing closeness, is optimistic: “I think that on the Italian American community also because of the interest of young people, of those who want to move to the United States, the possible new policies have limited effects.”
The issue of Italian citizenship is also closely linked to the role of public institutions and services. Mignacca confirms that one of the main difficulties for those living abroad is access to consular services, which are often congested with excessive requests. “The waits in some cases are really long,” he says, referring in particular to citizenship applications and passport renewals.
Despite the difficulties, the connection with Italy remains strong. “They have a concept of Italy that is still very clean, very traditional,” says Mignacca, speaking of Italians abroad. It is an identity that is passed down through the generations, beyond formal citizenship, and continues to be a distinctive element of Italian culture around the world.
Mignacca, who operates between Italy and the Americas, is clear about his goal: “The goal is to continue to give support to Italian communities abroad.” A commitment that goes beyond the legal aspect and aims to strengthen the bond between Italians around the world and their home country.