For Romanians in Rome, la bella vita is far from reality

By Megan Barnes

ROME, Dec. 10 -  Following the murder of a 47-year-old Italian woman in late October, allegedly by a Romanian immigrant, relations between the two EU countries have been tense.

Last month, in an effort to crack down on a perceived increased crime rates involving Romanians, the Italian government began deporting immigrants  who pose a threat to public order. In the first month, 283 Romanian immigrants, primarily Romanian gypsies were deported, The Financial Times reported. 

In an open letter for the Roman daily newspaper Il Messaggero Prime Minister Prodi justified the move, writing, "The emergency expulsion decree for EU citizens who pose a public and social danger was a necessary action but also a fair one."

Romania's induction into the EU last January has made it easy for immigrants to come to Italy and find work. It is estimated that there are about a half a million Romanians working in Italy registered with the state, and perhaps 1 million in total.

The murder in October and recent crackdown is having its effect on the Romanian community in Italy. The Romanian community is torn apart as those who commit crimes are influencing negative feelings towards those who are hard working, honest, and deserve to be here.

A 30-year-old Romanian waiter who asked to be identified as Constantine, told the Matthew Online he no longer feels welcome in Rome. He said, "It is very sad that people can not seem to distinguish between what is good and what is bad, it feels like all of us are being punished."