Upwards of 1,000 illegal immigrants are being moved from a holding center in Lampedusa to the Italian mainland, after 900 migrants reached the island in the past few days, and an overflow was cited as concern. Most of those moved included men, women, and children seeking asylum to the country. The Italian Interior Ministry said that the migrants received medical checks as initial identification checks were attempted to be made with the help of United Nations refugee and aid organizations, and cultural mediators. Lampedusa’s mayor said that the holding center was in near collapse and urged the Vatican to open the doors of its convents and seminaries to host some of the illegal migrants. The Vatican has not yet responded to the call at time of posting.
