Interview at the City Council (with 2 young persons, a young man (Michele) and a young woman … for names ask Garelli), on 31st of March, at 15.00 (with the collaboration of Ferrati Maria Chiara and Roberta Di Pietro)

TRANSCRIPT

Questions1. MARIA CHIARA: Where do the migrants you normally file come from?

2. ROBERTA: Which documents do they have to own? If they don’t have any, which ones do they need?

3. MARIA CHIARA: Why do they leave their country?

4. ROBERTA: Do they arrive in Pescara to settle here or just as a step towards a longer journey? Which expectations do migrants have?

5. MARIA CHIARA: What kind of procedures do you have to follow when they arrive?

6. ROBERTA: What are interesting aspects when dealing with migrants?

1. MARIA CHIARA: Where do the migrants you normally file come from? - Michele (M2U005899): Most of the immigrants come from Africa, particularly

Nigeria and Senegal. Another important flow comes from Eastern Europe, especially Ukraine, Bulgaria, Poland and Romania too. Asians are also another important wave, in fact we have e lot of guys coming from China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Philippines too). Another significant migrant flow come from both South and Central America, especially Brazil and Colombia (?)

2. ROBERTA: Which documents do they have to own? If they don’t have any, which ones do they need?

- the girl (M2U00589): Immigrants really need to produce a lot of documents which depend on their home country, and I have to say that there is a big difference between people who live in Europe and people who don’t. In the first case the situation is easier, of course! Because sometimes just an ID-Card or a passport is required, because in Europe we are lucky, we’ve got the freedom to move and to sail across an European country. Otherwise the situation is more difficult and they have to produce a lot of documents. First of all an entry visa, which is a special permission, in order for the immigrants to enter the country, and this is the first step for the whole process, and the entry visa is related to other papers, such as Declaration of Hospitality, certificate of suitable housing, health insurance and others...and certificate of suitable housing and declaration of hospitality are released by our office. So people come in our office and ask for these papers.

3. MARIA CHIARA: Why do they leave their country?

- Michele (M2U00590, da 10’’ al 22’’, SOLO LA PRIMA PARTE)Well, obviously most of them escape from their own country for an important reason, THE WAR. People from Nigeria, for example, escape from their country because they live in zones of war totally unsafe, or still object of discriminations or persecutions for ethnic or religious reasons.- Michele: (M2U00592, seconda parte)In Italy, all immigrants who come from zone of war are entitled to apply for international protection. An international protection seeker is a person who has applied for international protection and is awaiting the decision of recognition of refugee status or another form of protection. Then there is an other important group, who come, for example, from Eastern Europe, that come in Italy, but just to improve their way of life. Especially Ukranians and Bulgarians, Romanians come to Italy, in this case to Pescara, looking for a job, for example, Philippines too. Maybe the Asians, are the only ones who seem to migrate to Pescara, to Italy, just for commercial reasons.

4. ROBERTA: Do they arrive in Pescara to settle here or just as a step towards a longer journey and Which expectations do migrants have?

- The girl (M2U00592, da 1,00’’ a 2,01’’ ): Ok, Most of people who come in our office, really want to stay here in order to work, study or start a family, with the hope of a better future, of course. They really love Italy and they think it’s the best place to live and to stay, and we know it because we talk with them and they trust us. They tell me about their expectations of life here, in Italy ... and so this is so important for us ... And they ask for documents in order to stay here, so we know it. Of course, I met people who were just passing through Italy to reach other countries, such as Germany or France, or because they think they are better places to live and stay or because their families already live in that country.

5. MARIA CHIARA: What kind of procedures do you have to follow when they arrive?

- Michele(M2UU00594) a parte la risata finale si può prendere tranquillamente!

It is possible to require in this office another important document, called certificate of suitable housing. It’s one of the most important and it is necessary to obtain the residence permit. I must say that we are here also to help the immigrants, resolving any kind of problems (for example helping them to fill out other forms or explaining how they can get the residence).

6. What are interesting aspects when dealing with migrants?

The GIRL (M2U00597)- What can I say is that even if we speak 3 foreign languages, such as English, Spanish or French we have a lot of communication problems because it is so difficult to understand others and to be understood by others, of course! For example with Chinese people we have got a lot of problems, because they can’t speak English, or Italian, or other languages, just Chinese… so, it’s very difficult! In this case, after several attempts by me, Michele and others, we ask for someone who speaks Italian and Chinese too, in order to translate and trying to solve the problem, and communication problems are really important

in our office. BUT, what can I say is that I really love my job, it’s beautiful have the chance to know other cultures, new people and it’s also a way to know people and make friends. There are some people who came back in our office just to say hello, and it’s so beautiful have people in Italy … it’s great!