Italian lawyers advise migrants to pose as gay to obtain asylum

Gay pride parade in Turin. Photo: News Events Turin

On April 27, 2026, it emerged that lawyers in Italy are accused of advising migrants to claim they are homosexual or persecuted in their homeland in order to obtain asylum and avoid deportation, The European Conservative reports.

According to the investigation, the case involves a network of migration law specialists who allegedly use such schemes to circumvent the law. Migrants are presented as people facing persecution – either because of their sexual orientation or at the hands of relatives.

One Bologna-based lawyer said the scheme depends on the country of origin: with Nigerians, the emphasis is placed on homosexuality; in other cases, on threats from family members.

Journalist Matt Carus described what is happening as a sign of a shift toward organized fraud, stressing that the state and taxpayers ultimately bear the cost.

Meanwhile, according to BBC reports, similar schemes are also being uncovered in the United Kingdom, where a “shadow industry” of legal advisers is said to be helping migrants remain in the country, including through fabricated claims about sexual orientation or domestic violence.

Lawmakers from the League party said the practice is widespread across Europe, while representatives of Brothers of Italy called for an investigation into the allegations.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Hungary is preparing to launch an LGBT channel amid its course toward the EU.

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