Abstract

The new Italian statute which applies to the unaccompanied foreign children increases their rights and facilitates their custody in foster families. Children received by relatives or placed in the care of a family have a greater possibility to integrate than those who are hosted by public institutions. However they can also risk more if the families who receive them don't provide an education or are unable to support them. Italy today has a good law regarding children who enter illegally, but it would be appropriate to adopt also rules which allow the legal and safe entry of children who have families or relatives able to support their education.