Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
decades of the twentieth century) in the building industry. others carry out do-
mestic work as caretakers for children and elders, while others again run their
small businesses in the food or garment industry, or are involved as nonskilled
labor in the tourism services (restaurants and hotels). indeed, one can count mul-
tiple factors pulling immigrants to Rome, and the strictly economic ones do not
always seem to be the strongest.
at the beginning of Via Nazionale, there is the Church of st. paul's within-
the-walls, the anglican episcopalian church where one can see famous histori-
cal figures such as General Grant, abraham lincoln, and Giuseppe Garibaldi
portrayed as saints. The first non-Catholic church within the city walls, inaugu-
rated in 1876 as a durable example of freedom of worship granted by the new ital-
ian state, the church now hosts in its crypt the Joel Nafuma Refugee Center, the
only day center available to refugees and asylum seekers in Rome. from 10 am
to 2 pm some 150 men find some relief, a frugal breakfast, and outlets to recharge
their mobile phones. They come mainly from Central asia (afghanistan) and the
horn of africa. like many other asylum seekers in italy, while their applications
for the status of refugee are being processed, they do not have a place to stay and
must resort to squatting in empty buildings or seeking support from religious
institutions (Caritas 2010). when asked why they chose italy,2 they give different
answers that register the wide range of reasons that pull people, not only refu-
gees, to the eternal City:
“Rome is the city of the pope. i trusted i could find help here from people of
good will.” Notwithstanding the fact that Rome (like italy) does not have a co-
herent policy on asylum (let alone immigration), it can still boast an influential
aura as a hospitable place due to its status as religious center. people from foreign
countries with little or no connection to italy find Rome “good to think” long
before they are faced with the problems of living there. They are attracted by the
enduring and now globalized image of a spiritual city that has always opened its
arms to welcome pilgrims and the needy. afghanis and Nigerians are national
groups that often use this argument to explain the reasons for their coming to
Rome.
“i am here just passing through, i will not stay. i want to go to Germany
(scandinavia/Great britain/america) and italy is an inevitable transit point, the
gateway to europe and to the west.” many foreigners in Rome who would be
entitled to apply for the status of refugee have entered illegally simply because
they do not want to stay so they do not fill out applications. They are aware that
italy offers fewer opportunities (in terms of jobs and rights) than other countries.
Yet italy is the first fully western step for their final destinations and Rome, with
her immense size, allows them to hide with ease, waiting for the opportunity to
move elsewhere. many Central african sans papiers come for this reason, as do
people from afghanistan and south asia. all roads lead to Rome, but they also
lead out of the city.
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