Lawyer Alessandro Mignacca is an expert in business internationalization and protection of the rights of Italians abroad. We discussed with him the evolution of law in relation to the mobility of Italians, between citizenship recognition and legal protection for communities abroad.
Lawyer, why did you choose to specialize in immigration and citizenship?
“I am a lawyer with extensive experience in internationalization of businesses between South and North America. Over the years, my work has led me to an increasing involvement with the Italian community abroad, specializing in issues of immigration, citizenship, and protection of the rights of Italians residing outside national borders. The goal of my practice is to ensure equal access to law for all those who boast a connection to Italy, whether by birth or descent.”
The history of Italian emigration is long and complex. What are the current numbers and dynamics of this reality?
“Italy has always been a country of emigrants. Today we count about 80 million Italian oriundi in the Americas. The main waves of migration were to South America in the second half of the 19th century and to the United States between 1900 and 1920. This migration created a strong network of Italians abroad, many of whom still seek to keep alive the link with their country of origin.”
From a legal perspective, what have been the main changes in the recognition of Italian citizenship?
“Until 1992, Italy did not allow dual citizenship. This resulted in many Italians naturalized in other countries automatically losing their Italian citizenship. For descendants, born abroad, of Italian emigrants who never applied for other citizenship, therefore, iure sanguinis law continues to apply, giving them the possibility of being recognized as Italian citizens. However, there are still loopholes, such as for Italian women who, before 1948, could not transmit citizenship to their children, an aspect corrected only through rulings by the Supreme Court.”
The relationship between Italians and the United States is experiencing a new political and economic phase. How does the current context affect the Italian community?
“The Italian-American community is deeply rooted in the United States and has a strong sense of belonging. Relations between the two countries remain strong, with agreements and privileged channels facilitating mobility. For those who want to relocate today, access to Italian citizenship can be a competitive advantage, both for personal and business reasons.”
In what areas of the world do you practice?
“We work between Italy, Brazil, Argentina and the United States, with offices in Florida and New Jersey. Our goal is to provide legal support not only to Italians living abroad, but also to descendants who wish to acquire Italian citizenship. We collaborate with consular institutions to facilitate bureaucratic procedures and ensure equitable access to services.”
Italian-ness does not end in citizenship, but extends to culture and identity. How is this bond between Italians and Italics kept alive?
“Italians abroad, while acquiring different citizenships, retain strong ties to their roots. Even those born in the United States to Italian ancestors continue to feel connected to Italian culture, traditions, language and values of our country. This phenomenon, which we call “italicity,” represents an opportunity for Italy to expand, not only culturally but also economically and commercially.”
How is the law evolving with respect to the global mobility of Italians?
“The law must adapt to changes in society. Globalization has made it necessary to revise citizenship rules, as recent changes show. Italy only recognized the importance of dual citizenship in the 1990s, and today we continue to see evolutions that promote the connection between our country and Italians abroad. However, there remain regulatory challenges that will need to be addressed in the coming years.”
What are your law firm’s next steps?
“We will continue to work to facilitate access to Italian citizenship, supporting Italians around the world and their descendants. We will soon launch new initiatives in the United States, with a particular focus on Miami and New York, to improve legal support for Italian communities.”
The article Law and citizenship: the bridge between Italy and the United States comes from TheNewyorker.