The Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera On Saturday, November 01st, the right of reply of former congressman Luis Roberto Lorenzato was published, following negative repercussions caused by a... This article discussed the growing demand for Italian citizenship among descendants of Italians in Brazil..
The response was prompted by a publication from October 29th, written by journalist Claudio Del Frate, who used the term "invasion of oriundi from Brazil" to describe the phenomenon. The expression provoked outrage among members of the Italian-Brazilian community. Italianism published it here: Corriere della Sera portrays Italian-Brazilians as 'invaders' and exposes historical prejudice.
In his reply published this Saturday, Lorenzato — who was a member of parliament for the Northern League party from 2018 to 2022 — described the article as offensive and generalizing. In a firm tone, he defended the recognition of Italian citizenship. jus sanguinis It is a "right of origin," provided for by the Italian Constitution.
“The problem is not with the citizen exercising a right, but with the lack of structure in the Italian state to handle the demand,” he stated. He suggested solutions such as digitizing files and creating specialized courts, in addition to citing the Argentine example, which regularized more than one million Italian descendants without generating crises.
According to the former parliamentarian, the fraud cases mentioned in the article were isolated incidents that have already been judged, with convictions only for intermediaries and local officials, and not for the citizens who sought recognition.
Lorenzato also argues that Italian-Brazilians strengthen ties with Italy, boost the economy, and preserve Italian culture outside of Europe. "To reduce this phenomenon to a 'shady business' is to ignore 150 years of shared history," he stated.
The journalist himself concluded the right of reply segment with a statement addressed to the former deputy:
Dear Representative, far be it from me to denigrate the Italian-Brazilian community, its history, and its contribution to work and culture. All consideration is legitimate. However, the article highlights a series of distortions generated by the rush to obtain Italian passports. Distortions documented by mayors, magistrates, analysts of the phenomenon, and by judicial investigations, both in Italy and Brazil. All are cited in the article. Not by chance, the situation reached such a point that the government, in March 2025, intervened decisively restricting access to Italian citizenship for those of Italian descent.
READ THE RIGHT OF REPLY IN FULL (in Italian and in Portuguese)
Il boom delle cittadinanze per gli italo brasiliani: «Contribuiscono all'economia e al benessere»
by Luis Roberto by San Martino Lorenzato di Ivrea
L'ex deputato: «Legitimate exercise of a right». The reply: «Ci no document storture, the government is required to intervene»
In merit of all'articolo riguardante the boom in the wealth of Italian citizenship on the part of my students from Venetian emigrants in Brazil and Argentina ci write Luis Roberto di San Martino Lorenzato di Ivrea, deputy from 2018 to 2022 for Lega Nord.
Dear Director,
in the quality of On. Luis Roberto di San Martino Lorenzato di Ivrea, Deputato della Repubblica Italiana in the XVIII Legislature and President of the National Socialist Entity and Popolo Italico in Esilio – Italian Commonwealth, I desire to exercise my right to respond in merit to all articles published on 29 October 2025 of this title «Veneto, the invasion of the origins of Brazil. Italian Cittadinanza for sale online with discount» at the firm of Sig. Claudio Del Frate.
The article in question contains expressions and values that are rischiano di ledere the image of the Italian-Brazilian community, diffusing a fuorvian idea of the phenomenon of the richness of the Italian city of Sanguinis. A tale scope, Le trasmetto di segueto il testo integrale della mia ufficiale replica, con richesta di pubblicazione ai sensi delle normative vigenti sulla stampa.
A tale scope, Le trasmetto di segueto il testo integrale della mia ufficiale replica, con richesta di pubblicazione ai sensi delle normative
It is not a matter of uninvasion, which is a legitimate exercise in an original right. Gli italo-discendenti non chiedono una nuova cittadinanza, ma il riconoscimento della nazionalità che appartiene loro sin dalla nascita, secondo il principio dello ius sanguinis — foundamento della legislazione italiana fin dall'unificazione del Paese. Noi siamo nati Italiani, poiché la cittadinanza si trasmette per blood, not per geography.
It is scorretto and ingiusto trattare cittadini italiani d'origine come “stranieri che invadono”.
We are guilty of illegal practice or abusive mercification of the wealth of the city. Questi casi isolation — spesso denunciati dagli stessi italo-brasiliani — non rappresentano la comunità.
The great maggioranza dei richiedenti follows the legal path, investing time, laughter and authentic documentation. È offensive generalizzare milioni di discendenti onesti per colpa di pochi intermediari senza scrupoli.
Nei casi citati, tutti gli italo-brasiliani sono stati assolti e hanno mantenuto la cittadinanza; sono stati condannati solo funzionari communal e intermediari per irregolarità amministrative.
The problem does not arise in the city that exercises a right, but in this problem there is a lack of adequate structure of the Italian State to manage a predictable command. For decades, the government has encouraged the growth of the city as an instrument of its legacy with the diaspora. Now, in front of all the natural increase of wealth, if you try to incolpare and disprove the modernization of the system. The automation of the archive and the creation of specialized tribunals provide efficient and efficient civil solutions. L'Argentina, ad empio, ha regolarizzato oltre un milione di italo-argentini senza polemiche: perché allora questo pregiudizio verso gli italo-brasiliani, in large part of origine veneta?
Italian citizenship is not subordinate to residence. Milioni di italiani vivono e lavorano all'estero e restano italiani. Italo-Brazilian Gli continues to be part of the Italian Nazione, contributing culturally and economically. I invested in Italy, traveled regularly and supported the country's international prestige. Its presence must be considered as a human and cultural heritage, not as an administrative burden.
It is deprived of the collegiate support for the growth of the city — a constitutional right — all eventual failure of the PNRR. If the management is in progress, it depends on the bureaucracy and the lack of digitalization, it does not give rise to the exercise in its own right. L'Italia must raggiungere gli obiettivi europei modernizzando la giustizia, non limiting diritti fondamentali.
Richiedere la cittadinanza is not opportunism, but rich in reconciliation with its own identity — a European constitutional and community right.
Gli italo-discendenti onorano la memoria degli antennati che lasciarono l'Italia in tempi difficili. I participate in all Italian cultural and social vita, I create an impression, I support my cultural life and I strengthen my legacy in Italy and Brazil. The Italian city is not a privilege, but a historical and giuridic legacy that time has no spezzato
Ridurre the Italian-Brazilian phenomenon to a “dark business” means ignoring over 150 years of communal history in Italy and Brazil. Gli italo-brasiliani have always contributed and continue to contribute with miliardi di euro inviati in Italy, sustaining the economy and i legami tra i due Paesi.
The truth is not frenare about its own identity, but it values a community that keeps Italian culture alive in the world. Noi, italo-discendenti, non siamo ospiti — siamo figli e parte dell'Italia.
Con osservanza,
On. Luis Roberto di San Martino Lorenzato di Ivrea
Deputato della Repubblica Italiana – XVIII Legislature
President of the Sovranazionale Entity
NAZIONE AND POPOLO ITALICO IN ESILIO – ITALIAN COMMONWEALTH
Reply Claudio Del Frate
Gentle onorevole, lungi da me denigrare the Italian-Brazilian community, the loro story and the loro contribution to the work and all the culture. And the consideration is legitimate. But the article highlighted a series of stortures on the race all the richiesta of the Italian passport ha generato. Storture documentate da sindaci, magistrati, analysi del phenomeno, inchieste della magistratura sia in Italy and in Brazil. Tutti citati nell'articolo. Non a caso the situation is arrivata a punto tale that the government in March 2025 is an intervention restricting with decision the possibility of accessing the Italian city per gli origin.
Read the translation (AI)
The boom in citizenships for Italian-Brazilians: "They contribute to the economy and well-being"
The former congressman: "A legitimate exercise of a right." The reply: "There are documented distortions; the government needed to intervene."
Regarding the article about the increase in requests for Italian citizenship from descendants of Venetian emigrants in Brazil and Argentina, Luis Roberto di San Martino Lorenzato di Ivrea, Member of Parliament from 2018 to 2022 for the Northern League, writes to us.
Dear Director,
in my capacity as Mr. Luis Roberto di San Martino Lorenzato di Ivrea, Member of Parliament for the Italian Republic in the 18th Legislature and President of the supranational organization Italian Nation and People in Exile – Italian CommonwealthI wish to exercise my right of reply regarding the article published on October 29, 2025, entitled "Veneto, the invasion of those of Italian descent from Brazil. Italian citizenship for sale online at a discount.", signed by Mr. Claudio Del Frate.
The article in question contains expressions and assessments that risk damaging the image of the Italian-Brazilian community, spreading a distorted idea of the phenomenon of Italian citizenship recognition. jus sanguinisFor this purpose, I am transmitting below the full text of my official reply, with a request for publication in accordance with current press regulations.
This is not an invasion, but the legitimate exercise of an original right. Italian descendants are not asking for a new citizenship, but for recognition of the nationality that has belonged to them since birth, according to the principle of... jus sanguinis — a fundamental principle of Italian law since the unification of the country. We are born Italian, as citizenship is transmitted by blood, not by geography.
It is incorrect and unfair to treat Italian citizens by origin as "invading foreigners".
We strongly condemn any illegal practice or abusive commercialization. Regarding the recognition of citizenship, these isolated cases—often denounced by Italian-Brazilians themselves—do not represent the community. The vast majority of applicants follow legal channels, investing time, resources, and presenting authentic documentation. It is offensive to generalize about millions of honest descendants because of a few unscrupulous intermediaries.
In the cases mentioned, All Italian-Brazilians were acquitted and retained their citizenship.The convicted individuals were only municipal employees and intermediaries, for administrative irregularities.
The problem does not lie with the citizen exercising a right.However, the Italian state lacks adequate structures to handle a predictable demand. For decades, the government encouraged citizenship recognition as a way to maintain ties with the diaspora. Now, faced with a natural increase in applications, there is an attempt to blame descendants instead of modernizing the system. Digitizing archives and creating specialized courts would be civilized and effective solutions.
Argentina, for example, has regularized the status of over one million Italian-Argentinians without controversy. Why, then, this prejudice against Italian-Brazilians, most of whom are of Venetian origin?
Italian citizenship is not conditional on residency. Millions of Italians live and work abroad and remain Italian. Italian-Brazilians continue to be part of the Italian Nation, contributing culturally and economically. Many invest in Italy, travel regularly, and reinforce the country's international prestige. Their presence should be considered a human and cultural asset, not an administrative burden.
It is unfounded to link the recognition of citizenship—a constitutional right—to a possible failure of the PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan). If justice is slow, this is due to bureaucracy and a lack of digitalization, not to citizens exercising their rights. Italy must achieve European objectives by modernizing its justice system. without limiting fundamental rights.
Applying for citizenship is not opportunism, but reconciliation with one's own identity. — a European constitutional and community right.
Italian descendants honor the memory of their ancestors who left Italy during difficult times. Many participate in Italian cultural and social life, create businesses, support cultural organizations, and strengthen the bond between Italy and Brazil. Italian citizenship is not a privilege, but a historical and legal link that time has not broken.
Reducing the phenomenon of Italian-Brazilians to a "shady business" is to ignore more than 150 years of shared history between Italy and Brazil. Italian-Brazilians have always contributed and continue to contribute billions of euros sent to Italy, supporting the economy and the ties between the two countries.
The real challenge is not to contain those seeking their identity, but to value a community that keeps Italian culture alive in the world. We, people of Italian descent, are not guests — we are children of Italy and part of it.
Best Regards,
On. Luis Roberto di San Martino Lorenzato di Ivrea
Member of Parliament of the Italian Republic – 18th Legislature
President of the supranational entity
Nazione and Popolo Italico in Esilio – Italian Commonwealth
Response from journalist Claudio Del Frate
Dear Representative, far be it from me to denigrate the Italian-Brazilian community, its history, and its contribution to work and culture. All consideration is legitimate.
However, the article highlights a series of distortions generated by the rush to obtain Italian passports. Distortions documented by mayors, magistrates, analysts of the phenomenon, and by judicial investigations—both in Italy and Brazil. All were cited in the article. Not surprisingly, the situation reached such a point that the government, in March 2025, had to intervene, decisively restricting access to Italian citizenship for those of Italian descent.
