Vic, a city in Catalonia, has become the center of debate over migration policy following a statement by its mayor, Albert Castells. The head of the municipality believes that a sharp increase in residents arriving without documents or jobs is overburdening local schools and healthcare facilities. According to him, about 1,700 people without work permits have arrived in the city in recent months.
Castells notes that over the past three decades, the population of Vic has grown by almost 70%—significantly above the regional average. The mayor emphasizes that the city has always welcomed those who arrive with a clear plan for their lives, but says the current situation exceeds the municipality’s capacity.
A Demographic Challenge
In Castells’s view, the uncontrolled influx of new residents threatens the sustainability of Vic’s infrastructure. He claims that resources in education and healthcare are being redirected first and foremost to recent arrivals, negatively impacting local residents. The mayor fears that Vic’s youth may face hardship in the future and that elderly residents could go without essential support.
City authorities have already reached out to the president of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Salvador Illa, requesting discussions on possible measures to curb demographic growth. Castells insists on the need to revise the rules for residency registration (empadronamiento), so that the city can decide for itself whom to register and whom not to.
City Hall’s Position
The mayor emphasizes that this is not about discrimination based on nationality or social status. The main objective is to maintain balance and ensure access to basic services for all residents. Castells proposes to introduce restrictions on registration for those who do not have a work permit and cannot be legally employed.
He acknowledges that migration plays an important role in Vic’s economy, but believes the city should not become a haven for people forced to work in the underground economy. In his opinion, this situation only aggravates social and economic problems.
Party response
Castells claims that his initiative is supported by the leadership of the Junts party. According to him, such difficulties are faced not only by large cities, but also by small municipalities throughout Catalonia. Authorities intend to develop a unified strategy to deal with the consequences of uncontrolled migration.
In recent weeks, migration has become one of the main topics in the region’s political debates. According to polls, Junts and Aliança Catalana are running neck and neck, prompting both parties to make tougher statements on demographic and social policy issues.
A city at a crossroads
Vic, traditionally considered a city open to newcomers, is now forced to seek a balance between hospitality and the capacity of its urban infrastructure. City Hall emphasizes that it is necessary to “bring order” to the registration system in order to guarantee the rights and interests of all residents.
The question of who will be allowed to stay in Vic, and under what conditions, remains unresolved. City and regional authorities continue to discuss possible legislative changes that would allow a more flexible response to demographic challenges.
Incidentally, Albert Castells has been mayor of Vic since 2023 and represents the Junts per Catalunya party. Under his leadership, the city is experiencing one of the fastest population growth rates in Catalonia. Junts per Catalunya is a political force advocating for increased regional autonomy and actively engaged in debates on migration and social policy.
