ROME - Beppe Grillo has lashed out at the two M5S senators who introduced an amendment to abolish illegal immigration.

 

The amendment was voted on and approved by the Judiciary Committee of the Senate on Wednesday. The introduction of the amendment resulted from the growing attention to Italy's immigration policy following the tragic boat-wreck that took the lives of over 300 people off the coast of Lampedusa last Thursday. The amendment effectively abolishes the crime of illegal immigration by eliminating arrests and fines. The only consequence will be an order of expatriation if undocumented immigrants are apprehended.

 

The 5 Star MoVement's founders, Beppe Grillo and Gianroberto Casaleggio, posted a blog entry on Thursday expressing their disapproval of Senators Maurizio Buccarella and Andrea Cioffi. The post called the actions by the senators "entirely personal" and noted that the decision was made without consulting other members of the party. The post asserted that the vote was "not part of the programme" voted on by 8.5 million electorates.