Spain moves to tighten controls on irregular immigration

Spain’s government has approved preliminary drafts of a new Asylum Law and a reform of the Foreigners Law aimed at strengthening border controls, speeding up asylum procedures and facilitating the return of people who enter the country irregularly and do not qualify for international protection.

The reforms seek to adapt Spanish legislation to the European Pact on Migration and Asylum, whose provisions began applying in the European Union on June 12.

One of the main changes would introduce mandatory screening procedures for people who cross the EU’s external borders without meeting regular entry requirements. The process would include medical examinations, vulnerability assessments, identification, biometric data collection and security checks.

Spain plans to limit this initial screening to 72 hours, although a judge could extend it in justified individual cases.

The reform would also establish mandatory border procedures for certain asylum applications, with a maximum resolution period of 12 weeks. If an application is rejected, authorities could issue a return decision. A similar procedure would apply to people who enter irregularly and do not qualify for international protection.

The government also proposes an accelerated asylum procedure that would have to be resolved within three months.

Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said the objective is to create a system that is more “agile, effective, orderly and guarantees rights,” while authorities maintain that the reforms will continue to protect vulnerable people and minors.

The measures were approved in a first round and are not yet final. They must undergo consultations with several state institutions before returning to the Council of Ministers and eventually going to Parliament.

The government also authorized €25 million in extraordinary funding to assist unaccompanied migrant minors in Ceuta, amid the recent migration and security situation in the Spanish city.