(ANSA) - Rome, June 13 - A total of 4,319 refugees landed on Italy's coasts in the first five months of this year, during which time period some 13,304 immigrants were forcibly repatriated to their home nation, according to data released by Italy's Interior Ministry Thursday. In the first five months of the year Italian authorities issued 730,607 visas for long-term stays in Italy, according to Interior Ministry Chief of Staff Giuseppe Procaccini.
From 2008 to 2012, 46,777 immigrants were awarded citizenship, of which 22,673 due to marital status and the other 24,104 due to the applicant's residence.