Lorenzo Piccoli
@lorenzopiccoli.bsky.social
Part-time Assistant Professor at @mpc-eui.bsky.social and @eui-stg.bsky.social European University Institute. Migration studies, asylum, citizenship.
Save the Children reports that thousands of people have been trying to escape violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo heading to neighboring Burundi.
The conflict in Congo has already cost thousands of lives and has led to widespread displacement.
www.savethechildren.net/news/familie...
The conflict in Congo has already cost thousands of lives and has led to widespread displacement.
www.savethechildren.net/news/familie...
FAMILIES FLEEING DR CONGO TO BURUNDI FACE HUNGER, COLD AND LOST SCHOOLING FOR CHILDREN - SAVE THE CHILDREN
Families fleeing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are arriving in Burundi at overcrowded camps with nothing, leaving children hungry, traumatised, and at risk of disease.
www.savethechildren.net
January 7, 2026 at 11:52 AM
Save the Children reports that thousands of people have been trying to escape violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo heading to neighboring Burundi.
The conflict in Congo has already cost thousands of lives and has led to widespread displacement.
www.savethechildren.net/news/familie...
The conflict in Congo has already cost thousands of lives and has led to widespread displacement.
www.savethechildren.net/news/familie...
Reposted by Lorenzo Piccoli
Read my latest piece on what is happening with citizenship under Trump. Potential changes to denaturalization practices could put more naturalized Americans at risk to losing their citizenship...
theconversation.com/denaturaliza...
theconversation.com/denaturaliza...
Denaturalization in the Trump era: When the State questions the citizenship of millions of Americans
Under Trump, US citizenship is again a political battleground, as expanded denaturalisation grounds threaten decades of legal protections for millions of naturalised Americans.
theconversation.com
January 6, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Read my latest piece on what is happening with citizenship under Trump. Potential changes to denaturalization practices could put more naturalized Americans at risk to losing their citizenship...
theconversation.com/denaturaliza...
theconversation.com/denaturaliza...
Applications are closing soon for the 1st East Africa Migration Academy, a unique space for exchange on gender, migration, and displacement in the East & Horn of Africa.
📍 4–8 May 2026 | Nairobi, Kenya
#Migration #Gender #Displacement #CallForApplications
exed.eui.eu/open-courses...
📍 4–8 May 2026 | Nairobi, Kenya
#Migration #Gender #Displacement #CallForApplications
exed.eui.eu/open-courses...
January 7, 2026 at 10:31 AM
Applications are closing soon for the 1st East Africa Migration Academy, a unique space for exchange on gender, migration, and displacement in the East & Horn of Africa.
📍 4–8 May 2026 | Nairobi, Kenya
#Migration #Gender #Displacement #CallForApplications
exed.eui.eu/open-courses...
📍 4–8 May 2026 | Nairobi, Kenya
#Migration #Gender #Displacement #CallForApplications
exed.eui.eu/open-courses...
Sudan’s civil war continued in 2024 and 4.3m people have fled the violence. Most remain in neighbouring countries in East Africa, but funding cuts are limiting aid, prompting some to move onward via Libya toward Europe.
data.unhcr.org/en/situation...
data.unhcr.org/en/situation...
Situation Sudan situation
data.unhcr.org
January 6, 2026 at 1:53 PM
Sudan’s civil war continued in 2024 and 4.3m people have fled the violence. Most remain in neighbouring countries in East Africa, but funding cuts are limiting aid, prompting some to move onward via Libya toward Europe.
data.unhcr.org/en/situation...
data.unhcr.org/en/situation...
Reposted by Lorenzo Piccoli
“Industry experts cast doubt on whether the passports would draw a high number of applicants, however.”
Botswana pitches ‘golden passport’ scheme as diamond sales fall
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Botswana pitches ‘golden passport’ scheme as diamond sales fall
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Botswana pitches ‘golden passport’ scheme as diamond sales fall
Foreigners would pay up to $100,000 for citizenship under the proposal
giftarticle.ft.com
January 4, 2026 at 12:15 PM
“Industry experts cast doubt on whether the passports would draw a high number of applicants, however.”
Botswana pitches ‘golden passport’ scheme as diamond sales fall
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Botswana pitches ‘golden passport’ scheme as diamond sales fall
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Reposted by Lorenzo Piccoli
The first two hours this morning
January 5, 2026 at 11:21 AM
The first two hours this morning
Reposted by Lorenzo Piccoli
My initial thoughts on the possible refugee fallout of US intervention in Venezuela, although this could go any number of ways. In short, no one should be forcibly returned, even if some voluntarily go home.
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
What Maduro’s ouster means for Trump’s mass deportation campaign
Trump said many Venezuelan immigrants “want to go back.” Will Maduro’s removal spark a return — or another exodus?
www.washingtonpost.com
January 5, 2026 at 3:37 PM
My initial thoughts on the possible refugee fallout of US intervention in Venezuela, although this could go any number of ways. In short, no one should be forcibly returned, even if some voluntarily go home.
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
The irony should not be lost that the only political leader whose links to drug trafficking have been legally established is Juan Orlando Hernández, the former president of Honduras, who was sentenced to 45 years in prison until he was pardoned by Donald Trump last year.
January 5, 2026 at 1:50 PM
The irony should not be lost that the only political leader whose links to drug trafficking have been legally established is Juan Orlando Hernández, the former president of Honduras, who was sentenced to 45 years in prison until he was pardoned by Donald Trump last year.
How does cinema shape our understanding of migration?
Join me for the first @mpc-eui.bsky.social seminar of next year (in-person/online), where I will share ideas based on a global dataset of 410 documentaries, films, and television series on migration.
migrationpolicycentre.eu/events/?id=5...
Join me for the first @mpc-eui.bsky.social seminar of next year (in-person/online), where I will share ideas based on a global dataset of 410 documentaries, films, and television series on migration.
migrationpolicycentre.eu/events/?id=5...
Migration representation in movies from 1940 to 2024: The spectacle of human mobility and the north-bound bias
How does cinema shape our understanding of migration? Join Lorenzo Piccoli as he shares findings and patterns drawn from an analysis of a new global dataset of 410 documentaries, films, and television...
migrationpolicycentre.eu
December 18, 2025 at 9:37 AM
How does cinema shape our understanding of migration?
Join me for the first @mpc-eui.bsky.social seminar of next year (in-person/online), where I will share ideas based on a global dataset of 410 documentaries, films, and television series on migration.
migrationpolicycentre.eu/events/?id=5...
Join me for the first @mpc-eui.bsky.social seminar of next year (in-person/online), where I will share ideas based on a global dataset of 410 documentaries, films, and television series on migration.
migrationpolicycentre.eu/events/?id=5...
Reposted by Lorenzo Piccoli
You are spot on @lorenzopiccoli.bsky.social: Italy is among European countries with the most restrictive citizenship laws for the children of immigrants born on its territory (+ for immigrants, esp wh family connection!), while several other European governments are tightening access to citizenship
December 17, 2025 at 12:02 PM
You are spot on @lorenzopiccoli.bsky.social: Italy is among European countries with the most restrictive citizenship laws for the children of immigrants born on its territory (+ for immigrants, esp wh family connection!), while several other European governments are tightening access to citizenship
Reposted by Lorenzo Piccoli
Confirmed — *and* so is the continued rapprochement of the UK to the EU internal energy/electricity market
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
December 17, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Confirmed — *and* so is the continued rapprochement of the UK to the EU internal energy/electricity market
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Last week, 122 refugees from Sudan, South Sudan, and Eritrea were transferred from Libya to Italy.
This is a result of collaboration between the Italian government, UNHCR, ARCI, and the Community of Sant'Egidio that resettled 7,269 refugees since 2016.
www.infomigrants.net/en/post/6871...
This is a result of collaboration between the Italian government, UNHCR, ARCI, and the Community of Sant'Egidio that resettled 7,269 refugees since 2016.
www.infomigrants.net/en/post/6871...
122 refugees flown to Rome from Libya, over half are minors
A total of 122 refugees evacuated from Libya through a humanitarian corridor arrived at the Rome Fiumicino airport on December 11. Over half of them were under age 18.
www.infomigrants.net
December 17, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Last week, 122 refugees from Sudan, South Sudan, and Eritrea were transferred from Libya to Italy.
This is a result of collaboration between the Italian government, UNHCR, ARCI, and the Community of Sant'Egidio that resettled 7,269 refugees since 2016.
www.infomigrants.net/en/post/6871...
This is a result of collaboration between the Italian government, UNHCR, ARCI, and the Community of Sant'Egidio that resettled 7,269 refugees since 2016.
www.infomigrants.net/en/post/6871...
Former Iraqi President Barham Salih is most likely to succeed Filippo Gradi as the next United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Filippo Grandi was elected by the UN General Assembly on 1 January 2016 and he will complete his third term on 31 December 2025.
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...
Filippo Grandi was elected by the UN General Assembly on 1 January 2016 and he will complete his third term on 31 December 2025.
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...
Former Iraqi President Salih slated to lead UN refugee agency
Salih, who fled Saddam Hussein's regime, campaigned for job on basis that he knows what it is like to be a refugee.
www.aljazeera.com
December 17, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Former Iraqi President Barham Salih is most likely to succeed Filippo Gradi as the next United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Filippo Grandi was elected by the UN General Assembly on 1 January 2016 and he will complete his third term on 31 December 2025.
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...
Filippo Grandi was elected by the UN General Assembly on 1 January 2016 and he will complete his third term on 31 December 2025.
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...
Italy is among the European countries with the most restrictive citizenship laws for the children of immigrants born on its territory, while several other European governments are also tightening access to citizenship.
Video by @artefr.bsky.social.
www.arte.tv/it/videos/12...
Video by @artefr.bsky.social.
www.arte.tv/it/videos/12...
La cittadinanza in Italia - Guarda il documentario completo | ARTE in italiano
Insaf Dimassi è arrivata in Italia dalla Tunisia a soli nove mesi. Ora ha 28 anni e non ha ancora la cittadinanza italiana. Come lei, oltre 900.000 studenti sono nella stessa situazione. È uno scandal...
www.arte.tv
December 16, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Italy is among the European countries with the most restrictive citizenship laws for the children of immigrants born on its territory, while several other European governments are also tightening access to citizenship.
Video by @artefr.bsky.social.
www.arte.tv/it/videos/12...
Video by @artefr.bsky.social.
www.arte.tv/it/videos/12...
Reposted by Lorenzo Piccoli
In e.g. Colombia trade union and environmental activists are at risk of assassination, usually by young criminals on motorcycles, paid to kill by employers, right-wing groups etc. But now a trade unionist from Colombia who has fled to save her life will be deemed to come from somewhere safe.
Ministers also established a list of "safe" countries, including Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, Tunisia. Agencies will process asylum claims from these nationals more quickly.
Notably, several of these score very low on democracy and human rights indexes.
🧵 4/4
ourworldindata.org/grapher/demo...
Notably, several of these score very low on democracy and human rights indexes.
🧵 4/4
ourworldindata.org/grapher/demo...
Democracy Index
Data by the Economist Intelligence Unit. Expert estimates of the extent to which citizens can choose their political leaders in free and fair elections, enjoy civil liberties, prefer democracy over ot...
ourworldindata.org
December 10, 2025 at 11:13 AM
In e.g. Colombia trade union and environmental activists are at risk of assassination, usually by young criminals on motorcycles, paid to kill by employers, right-wing groups etc. But now a trade unionist from Colombia who has fled to save her life will be deemed to come from somewhere safe.
Reposted by Lorenzo Piccoli
Visiting the land of the free in the near future? You got to be kidding.
December 10, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Visiting the land of the free in the near future? You got to be kidding.
Reposted by Lorenzo Piccoli
In the past, the European Parliament would have been the EU player to push back against very strict asylum rules and demand Human Rights safeguards.
With the new EP, and the potential of the EPP to far-right majority, my educated guess is that the EP will go along or even increase these changes.
With the new EP, and the potential of the EPP to far-right majority, my educated guess is that the EP will go along or even increase these changes.
EU home affairs ministers agreed yesterday on major changes to how asylum claims are processed.
The measures still need to be negotiated with the European Parliament before they enter into force.
In the meantime, this is what has been agreed upon.
🧵1/4
The measures still need to be negotiated with the European Parliament before they enter into force.
In the meantime, this is what has been agreed upon.
🧵1/4
December 9, 2025 at 10:51 AM
In the past, the European Parliament would have been the EU player to push back against very strict asylum rules and demand Human Rights safeguards.
With the new EP, and the potential of the EPP to far-right majority, my educated guess is that the EP will go along or even increase these changes.
With the new EP, and the potential of the EPP to far-right majority, my educated guess is that the EP will go along or even increase these changes.
EU home affairs ministers agreed yesterday on major changes to how asylum claims are processed.
The measures still need to be negotiated with the European Parliament before they enter into force.
In the meantime, this is what has been agreed upon.
🧵1/4
The measures still need to be negotiated with the European Parliament before they enter into force.
In the meantime, this is what has been agreed upon.
🧵1/4
December 9, 2025 at 10:34 AM
EU home affairs ministers agreed yesterday on major changes to how asylum claims are processed.
The measures still need to be negotiated with the European Parliament before they enter into force.
In the meantime, this is what has been agreed upon.
🧵1/4
The measures still need to be negotiated with the European Parliament before they enter into force.
In the meantime, this is what has been agreed upon.
🧵1/4
This is an excellent article by Helle Malmvig and @fabriziotassinari.bsky.social on the "Danish model" on immigration, with clear and detailed explanation of how being tough on newcomers has become a cornerstone of political consensus.
www.noemamag.com/inside-denma...
www.noemamag.com/inside-denma...
Inside Denmark’s Hardline Immigration Experiment | NOEMA
Once a beacon of progressivism, the Scandinavian nation has normalized the worldview of the far right.
www.noemamag.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:52 AM
This is an excellent article by Helle Malmvig and @fabriziotassinari.bsky.social on the "Danish model" on immigration, with clear and detailed explanation of how being tough on newcomers has become a cornerstone of political consensus.
www.noemamag.com/inside-denma...
www.noemamag.com/inside-denma...
Op-ed on @politico.eu by Wies De Graeve, executive director of Amnesty International Belgium’s Flemish branch.
It has a title that should be entirely uncontroversial. Yet, regrettably, it isn’t.
www.politico.eu/article/sean...
It has a title that should be entirely uncontroversial. Yet, regrettably, it isn’t.
www.politico.eu/article/sean...
People who save lives should not be criminalized
European governments are not only failing people seeking protection, they’re also punishing those who try to fill that dangerous gap.
www.politico.eu
December 3, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Op-ed on @politico.eu by Wies De Graeve, executive director of Amnesty International Belgium’s Flemish branch.
It has a title that should be entirely uncontroversial. Yet, regrettably, it isn’t.
www.politico.eu/article/sean...
It has a title that should be entirely uncontroversial. Yet, regrettably, it isn’t.
www.politico.eu/article/sean...
Reposted by Lorenzo Piccoli
Belatedly noticing that the State Dept. updated its refugee resettlement data through October. In February-October 2025, the US resettled just 506 refugees(!) 342 of those (2/3) were South Africans. www.rpc.state.gov/admissions-a...
December 2, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Belatedly noticing that the State Dept. updated its refugee resettlement data through October. In February-October 2025, the US resettled just 506 refugees(!) 342 of those (2/3) were South Africans. www.rpc.state.gov/admissions-a...
Reposted by Lorenzo Piccoli
Welcome Shabana Mahmood to your next four years of headlines!!!
Foreign doctors trained by the NHS face deportation under visa rules
Foreign doctors trained by the NHS face deportation under visa rules
www.thetimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Welcome Shabana Mahmood to your next four years of headlines!!!
Denmark runs one of Europe’s most restrictive asylum systems, revoking protections at scale and even seizing belongings to cover fees.
Some countries hail it as a model, but it carries serious risks: it undermines human rights and damages integration outcomes.
theconversation.com/think-twice-...
Some countries hail it as a model, but it carries serious risks: it undermines human rights and damages integration outcomes.
theconversation.com/think-twice-...
Think twice before copying Denmark’s asylum policies
A migration researcher based in Denmark explains the downsides of its “zero asylum” policy and returns system.
theconversation.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Denmark runs one of Europe’s most restrictive asylum systems, revoking protections at scale and even seizing belongings to cover fees.
Some countries hail it as a model, but it carries serious risks: it undermines human rights and damages integration outcomes.
theconversation.com/think-twice-...
Some countries hail it as a model, but it carries serious risks: it undermines human rights and damages integration outcomes.
theconversation.com/think-twice-...
A former president of Belgium’s Constitutional Court wrote a legal paper, commissioned by Prime Minister Bart De Wever, urging governments to appoint more conservative judges and to revise key asylum rules allowing greater flexibility in deporting asylum seekers.
www.euractiv.com/news/a-belgi...
www.euractiv.com/news/a-belgi...
A Belgian plan to challenge Europe's courts on migration | Euractiv
A lack of decent reception for asylum seekers is not the same as whipping, a legal expert wrote
www.euractiv.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:48 AM
A former president of Belgium’s Constitutional Court wrote a legal paper, commissioned by Prime Minister Bart De Wever, urging governments to appoint more conservative judges and to revise key asylum rules allowing greater flexibility in deporting asylum seekers.
www.euractiv.com/news/a-belgi...
www.euractiv.com/news/a-belgi...
I am surprised about Facebook (relatively high) and Whatsapp (relatively low), but this might be US-specific.
I use YouTube, Instagram (passively), Whatsapp, Bluesky.
bsky.app/profile/conr...
I use YouTube, Instagram (passively), Whatsapp, Bluesky.
bsky.app/profile/conr...
UPDATE: Americans who use
YouTube 84%
Facebook 71%
Instagram 50%
TikTok 37%
WhatsApp 32%
Reddit 26%
Snapchat 25%
X (Twitter) 21%
Threads 8%
Bluesky 4%
Truth Social 3%
Full Pew Research Center report: https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2025/11/20/americans-social-media-use-2025/
YouTube 84%
Facebook 71%
Instagram 50%
TikTok 37%
WhatsApp 32%
Reddit 26%
Snapchat 25%
X (Twitter) 21%
Threads 8%
Bluesky 4%
Truth Social 3%
Full Pew Research Center report: https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2025/11/20/americans-social-media-use-2025/
November 24, 2025 at 10:38 AM
I am surprised about Facebook (relatively high) and Whatsapp (relatively low), but this might be US-specific.
I use YouTube, Instagram (passively), Whatsapp, Bluesky.
bsky.app/profile/conr...
I use YouTube, Instagram (passively), Whatsapp, Bluesky.
bsky.app/profile/conr...