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When the law was first changed, I read that Italy changed the law because a large number of people, mostly from South America, were claiming Italian citizenship through their bloodline, but they had no connection to, or real appreciation of, their Italian ancestry. The way Italy saw it, many people only wanted Italian citizenship for the EU passport.

But it's perfectly OK for Europe's elite to allow mass immigration of Muzzies and other Third World people with no cultural connection to Europe so they can burn down the churches and rape European women? Seriously? If they don't like the Italian constitution then they should change the constitution, not ignore its plain language by judicial fiat. EU member states get more representation in the EU parliament based upon their populations. It doesn't matter where they live. If an American gets an Italian passport but works in France, that still counts toward more Italian population and votes in the EU parliament. That person isn't burdening Italy for anything. Refusing to grant them passports is just prejudice against the foreign born.

The new law doesn’t stop us from moving to Italy and establishing citizenship like anyone else. It only changes the law that gives people of Italian ancestry a faster, more affordable pathway to citizenship.

Under the old law, anyone who could trace their bloodline to an Italian ancestor as far back as 1861 (with some restrictions - for example, on female ancestors) could declare Italian citizenship for a low cost and some paperwork. Unfortunately, so many people have applied in recent years that the courts became backlogged. Most of those people do not move to Italy. But, because of the backlog, people with Italian ancestry are not being fast-tracked.

So, to cut down on the backlog, Italy is limiting the “bloodline” to two generations. If you had an Italian parent or grandparent, you can still file for citizenship by bloodline (again, with some restrictions). I was disappointed by the change in the law, too, but I understand the reasoning. Some people abused the system and ruined it for everyone else.