Introduction. Social Work with newcomers: entering into the field

For about thirty years, Sicily has assumed the role of a gateway from Africa to Europe, acting as a bridge between cultures, ethnic groups and religions. When we talk about immigration in Sicily, therefore, we are referring to a structural reality, which the island's inhabitants have generally accepted with a sense of hospitality and openness. It is an interesting observation point from which it is possible to look at the social and political implications generated by immigration movements in the understanding of contemporary migration phenomena.