Catalan President Salvador Illa has staunchly defended the Spanish government’s extraordinary regularization of undocumented immigrants, dismissing concerns that it would create a ‘pull effect’ for more migration. Speaking in an interview on La 2 Cat, as reported by Europa Press, Illa framed the measure as an essential act of dignity that also serves to benefit society.
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The policy, approved by Royal Decree, aims to provide legal status to an estimated 500,000 people living in Spain without documentation, allowing them to formally enter the workforce. Illa argued that similar measures in the past have yielded positive outcomes, stating that previous regularizations “have not generated a pull effect.” He emphasized that the move would allow new residents to “join the workforce and contribute with taxes.”
Illa underscored Catalonia’s long history as a land of welcome, arguing that embracing new arrivals strengthens, rather than diminishes, local identity.
“Welcoming and integrating these people with our language, with our culture, with our way of doing things, not only does it not call us into question, nor harm us, nor put our identity at risk, but it enriches it,” he stated.
When questioned on the contentious issue of potentially banning face-covering veils like the burqa and niqab in public spaces, Illa adopted a cautious tone. He expressed support for “preserving” women’s rights and stressed the need to review the constitutionality of any such ban. He also advocated for patience, acknowledging the cultural adjustments required for newcomers.
“We must bear in mind that these are people who come from other cultures. We must give them time so that they can adapt, but our way of living and being must be reaffirmed,” Illa said, adding that Spain has a recognized code of conduct that must be respected.
The president also addressed the ongoing crisis affecting the Rodalies de Catalunya commuter rail service, a topic he described as one of his government’s “obsessions.” Illa, who was recently hospitalized for a month, said he wished he could have been “on the front line” during the latest disruptions. He attributed the network’s problems to a combination of severe weather, the “state of mind” at rail operators Renfe and ADIF following a fatal accident in Adamuz, Córdoba, and the overall fragile state of the infrastructure.
While acknowledging that solutions will not be short-term, he pointed to the newly created joint company, Rodalies de Catalunya, as a key step forward. He dismissed the idea of the Generalitat taking full control of the service via its own operator, FGC, explaining, “If we did that, we would lose all the safety certifications that Renfe’s trains have.”
On a more personal note, Illa discussed the serious illness that led to his stay at Barcelona’s Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, revealing there had been a risk of sepsis. He asserted that he received the standard treatment given to any patient in the public health system, with the exception of a private room due to his “security requirements.” He firmly denied ever considering resignation and affirmed his intention to complete his current term and potentially seek another, stating, “I think a period of stability would be good for us, to settle things down and to set a course.”
