Interior Minister Roberto Maroni said Friday that the cabinet has decided to send the text of three new immigration decrees to the European Commission (EC) for ''suggestions'' before passing them definitively.
The cabinet on Friday gave a theoretical green light to the decrees, which regard the right of asylum, free circulation of European Union citizens, and joining family members already living in Italy as part of a wider crackdown in immigration.
Under the decrees, a DNA test would be required for family members wanting to join relatives in Italy.
EU citizens would only be able to stay in the country for more than three months if they are able to prove they have an adequate and legal income, and they would have to report their presence in the country to the authorities.
It would also be easier to repatriate EU citizens for ''reasons of public safety'', both in the case that they fail to report their presence, or if they behave in a way that constitutes ''a concrete, effective and serious threat'' to safety.
Finally, immigrants asking for asylum in Italy would have certain restrictions on their freedom of movement within the country.
Maroni admitted that sending the text to the EC was ''slightly unusual'', but said that the step had been agreed with shadow interior minister Marco Minniti of the Democratic Party in light of the ''delicate issues''.
Italy has come under fire from some European bodies over emergency security measures adopted in recent months.
Maroni said Friday that he would send a report on the Italian government's crackdown on gypsy camps to the EC on Friday.
The EC asked for the report in the wake of international concern over a census of camps, which the European Parliament and human rights groups say is discriminatory.
The Italian government says the aim of the measures is to improve integration, get children into schools and prevent minors being forced to beg and steal.
Maroni said Friday that his report to the EC will include letters from the Red Cross and UNICEF in support of the measures.
Italy has pledged to abide by any EC ruling on the issue.
