His socialist propaganda activity continued in the trenches and due to these actions he was sentenced to seven years in prison, with the obligation to return to the front lines.

In August of the same year, he moved to Milan for work, continuing the trade unionist activity he had developed in Sicily.

The amnesty of 1932 allowed him the reduction of sentence; released from prison he continued in subversive action to the fascist regime.

At the outbreak of the Second World War he was deported to the Lacedonia prison camp, where he remained until the signing of the armistice in September 1943.

At the end of the conflict he became a member of the National Council and was appointed undersecretary to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in the Bonomi III Cabinet, with Giovanni Gronchi as Minister.