Italian authorities are struggling to deal with an influx of refugees from Libya.

More than 15,000 refugees have arrived in Italy since the conflict began in Libya in February.

A vast majority of them are migrant workers.

Under a political asylum status, they can legally stay in Italy. Without it, they will be deported.

Their legal status is however unclear and their future hangs in the balance.

Al Jazeera's Casey Kauffman reports from La Spezia, Italy.