Barcelona migrant regularisation efforts have identified 24,000 undocumented immigrants currently residing in the city. These individuals are eligible to apply for the Spanish government’s new regularisation process. Mayor Jaume Collboni announced on Friday that these residents, already known to municipal services, will be prioritised. Consequently, they can obtain residency permits as quickly as possible. The city previously addressed similar concerns when a recent police operation dismantled an immigration fraud network.
This announcement forms part of a wider national initiative by the central government in Madrid. The scheme aims to regularise the status of approximately half a million people across Spain. Meanwhile, Mayor Collboni clarified that the 24,000 individuals have been specifically identified by the council. However, they do not represent the total number of undocumented residents in the Catalan capital.
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“It does not mean that only those 24,000 people will be regularised; unfortunately, there are more,” Collboni acknowledged during a press briefing.
Fast-Tracking Residency for Barcelona Migrant Regularisation
To manage the administrative load, the Mayor confirmed a joint working group will be established this coming Monday. This group involves the City Council and the Spanish Government Delegation in Catalonia. Its primary objective is to “facilitate and expedite the processing of extraordinary regularisations”.
The 24,000 residents already detected by social services will be the first to enter the system. “Since we have them detected, they will be the people on whom we will act with the fastest and most immediate actions,” Collboni stated. He made this statement following a meeting with the government delegate in Catalonia, Carlos Prieto.
Economic and Social Opportunity from Regularisation
Collboni described the extraordinary process as a “great opportunity” for the city. He highlighted both the humanitarian and economic benefits. Furthermore, he emphasised that the measure serves to dignify the living conditions of migrants currently trapped in legal limbo. Simultaneously, it addresses labour shortages.
“Many companies and employers’ associations are demanding that residency permits be granted as agilely and quickly as possible,” the Mayor noted. While a specific timeline for completing all local procedures was not provided, Collboni assured that the council would work “as soon as possible”. This work is pending final instructions from the ministry. The deadline for applications under this extraordinary process remains open until July.
Political Reaction to the Regularisation Plan
The Mayor’s administration used Friday’s plenary session to formally cement its support for the central government’s initiative. The Socialist Party of Catalonia (PSC) presented an urgent motion to debate the measure. This motion received backing from Barcelona en Comú (BComú) and the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC).
The approved text reaffirms Barcelona’s commitment to “equal opportunities, inclusion, and the fight against any form of racism or discrimination”. Raquel Gil, the deputy mayor for social affairs, defended the move. She described it as a consolidated practice in migration management that builds a better city through the recognition of rights.
However, the measure faced opposition from the right. The People’s Party (PP) and Vox voted against the motion. PP leader Daniel Sirera described the policy as “chaotic” and “improvised”. He claimed it offloads responsibility to municipalities without adequate resources. Junts abstained from the vote. Councillor Neus Munté argued that welcoming migrants requires more than “just opening the door”. She demanded a full transfer of immigration competencies to the Catalan administration.
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