A tweet went viral which reads, "We supported @GiorgiaMeloni because they hoped she would deport 1 million fake asylum seekers. Almost 3 years have passed and we are perhaps at 12,000. Furthermore, in italy there are over 1000 illegal mosques and she has closed 1, maybe 2. We needed actions, not words. Very bad,"
Claim 1: Support for Giorgia Meloni to Deport 1 Million "Fake Asylum Seekers"
Giorgia Meloni, leader of the Brothers of italy party, became Italy's prime minister on october 22, 2022, following her campaign promises to curb illegal immigration and increase deportations. The tweet suggests her supporters expected 1 million deportations, a figure likely tied to the estimated number of undocumented migrants or rejected asylum seekers in Italy.
Italy has faced significant migration pressures, particularly via the Central Mediterranean route. According to the european Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) 2023 statistics (published July 1, 2024), italy recorded 126,000 asylum applications in 2023, with a backlog of 93,000 pending cases and 68,000 total decisions, including rejections. The term "fake asylum seekers" is subjective and likely refers to rejected applicants or undocumented migrants, estimated at 500,000–600,000 by various sources in recent years (e.g., Italian government estimates and EU reports).
The expectation of 1 million deportations appears exaggerated and politically motivated, as it exceeds the estimated undocumented population and logistical capacity. The 12,000 figure is plausible but lacks precise confirmation, suggesting the claim is partially true but overstated in ambition.
Claim 2: Over 1,000 Illegal Mosques, with 1 or 2 Closed
The tweet alleges there are over 1,000 "illegal mosques" in italy and that Meloni’s government has closed only 1 or 2.
The term "illegal mosques" likely refers to unregistered or improvised Islamic prayer spaces, as italy has strict regulations on mosque construction. The Works That Work article ("Italy’s Hidden Mosques") states that Italy’s 1.5 million Muslims have only three official mosques, with the rest being informal centers in warehouses, shops, etc. Estimates of such centers vary widely, with some sources (e.g., regional studies) suggesting 800–1,200 exist nationwide, though not all are necessarily "illegal" under law—many operate as cultural centers to bypass building restrictions.
The "over 1,000 illegal mosques" figure is an overestimate or mischaracterization of informal prayer sites, which number in the hundreds but aren’t all illegal. The 1 or 2 closures are plausible but unverified at scale, making this claim partially true but exaggerated.
Overall, the tweet is mostly inaccurate due to its exaggerated figures and lack of substantiation, though it reflects genuine dissatisfaction with Meloni’s immigration policy outcomes, constrained by legal and EU factors.
Claim 1: Support for Giorgia Meloni to Deport 1 Million "Fake Asylum Seekers"
Giorgia Meloni, leader of the Brothers of italy party, became Italy's prime minister on october 22, 2022, following her campaign promises to curb illegal immigration and increase deportations. The tweet suggests her supporters expected 1 million deportations, a figure likely tied to the estimated number of undocumented migrants or rejected asylum seekers in Italy.
Italy has faced significant migration pressures, particularly via the Central Mediterranean route. According to the european Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) 2023 statistics (published July 1, 2024), italy recorded 126,000 asylum applications in 2023, with a backlog of 93,000 pending cases and 68,000 total decisions, including rejections. The term "fake asylum seekers" is subjective and likely refers to rejected applicants or undocumented migrants, estimated at 500,000–600,000 by various sources in recent years (e.g., Italian government estimates and EU reports).
The expectation of 1 million deportations appears exaggerated and politically motivated, as it exceeds the estimated undocumented population and logistical capacity. The 12,000 figure is plausible but lacks precise confirmation, suggesting the claim is partially true but overstated in ambition.
Claim 2: Over 1,000 Illegal Mosques, with 1 or 2 Closed
The tweet alleges there are over 1,000 "illegal mosques" in italy and that Meloni’s government has closed only 1 or 2.
The term "illegal mosques" likely refers to unregistered or improvised Islamic prayer spaces, as italy has strict regulations on mosque construction. The Works That Work article ("Italy’s Hidden Mosques") states that Italy’s 1.5 million Muslims have only three official mosques, with the rest being informal centers in warehouses, shops, etc. Estimates of such centers vary widely, with some sources (e.g., regional studies) suggesting 800–1,200 exist nationwide, though not all are necessarily "illegal" under law—many operate as cultural centers to bypass building restrictions.
The "over 1,000 illegal mosques" figure is an overestimate or mischaracterization of informal prayer sites, which number in the hundreds but aren’t all illegal. The 1 or 2 closures are plausible but unverified at scale, making this claim partially true but exaggerated.
Overall, the tweet is mostly inaccurate due to its exaggerated figures and lack of substantiation, though it reflects genuine dissatisfaction with Meloni’s immigration policy outcomes, constrained by legal and EU factors.
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