Junts has submitted a new bill to transfer immigration powers to Catalonia. The move comes as Spain faces a humanitarian crisis in Ceuta and rising pressure from far-right parties. The debate could reshape migration policy.
Junts has reignited the debate over immigration control in Spain by formally presenting a new bill in Congress to transfer immigration powers to Catalonia. The party, led by Carles Puigdemont, is pressing for urgent action, arguing that the current system no longer meets the region’s needs. This legislative push comes as the Spanish government grapples with a humanitarian emergency in Ceuta, where the arrival of around 80,000 people on July 30 has left the city overwhelmed and forced Madrid to declare a special security situation and assume direct control.
The new proposal from Junts modifies the preamble of a previous bill that was rejected last year, mainly due to concerns from Podemos, who labeled the original text as “racist.” The earlier version was also voted down by PP, Vox, UPN, and some Sumar deputies. However, after a subsequent agreement between the government and Podemos on extraordinary regularization of migrants, Junts believes the revised text addresses previous objections and expects less resistance this time.
Junts argues that the extraordinary regularization process, which saw 1,174,978 applications, has exceeded all expectations and exposed the limits of the current system. The party insists that Catalonia must have the authority to manage its own immigration policy, including decisions on border control, expulsion orders, and promoting Catalan as a language of social cohesion. According to Junts, these measures would allow the region to align with practices seen in other European countries and better serve local interests.
The party’s rhetoric has become notably tougher, coinciding with the rise of Aliança Catalana in opinion polls. Recent data from the Centre d’Estudis d’Opinió (CEO) suggests that nearly 30% of seats in the Catalan Parliament could go to far-right parties such as Aliança Catalana or Vox if elections were held now. The same study indicates that Aliança Catalana could overtake Junts per Catalunya, pushing it to fourth place and halving its representation. This shift in the political landscape has prompted Junts to sharpen its stance, positioning itself as the only Catalan party offering concrete solutions to migration challenges.
During a recent session in Congress, the Junts spokesperson highlighted the party’s opposition to certain national migration policies, including the redistribution of unaccompanied minors from the Canary Islands. She argued that Catalonia’s capacity to receive newcomers is not unlimited and criticized the government for what she described as a unilateral and excessive regularization process. Junts also claims that the Spanish government is moving in the opposite direction to the rest of Europe, where there is a trend toward stricter border controls and more effective return policies.
The focus on immigration is not accidental. Studies from the Institut de Ciències Polítiques i Socials (ICPS) show that for Aliança Catalana voters, immigration is a more decisive issue than independence. This dynamic helps explain why Junts continues to prioritize the transfer of immigration powers to Catalonia, seeing it as both a political necessity and a response to voter concerns.
As for parliamentary support, Junts has not yet held talks with Podemos but is confident that changes to the bill’s preamble will remove previous obstacles. The original text’s references to the risks of immigration for social cohesion and its linkage to crime were among the main points of contention. Junts now hopes that the revised language will be enough to secure broader backing.
The debate over immigration policy in Spain is not limited to Catalonia. Other regions, such as Ceuta, have also faced intense pressure and political scrutiny. For example, the Partido Popular has called for continuous immigration shifts in Ceuta to accelerate returns, highlighting the national scope of the issue. This ongoing tension is reflected in coverage such as recent reports on the demands for nonstop deportation efforts in Ceuta.
In the broader context, Spain’s approach to migration remains a contentious and evolving issue. The push by Junts for regional control reflects deeper questions about the balance of power between Madrid and the autonomous communities, as well as the impact of shifting political forces. As the debate continues, the outcome could have significant implications for both Catalonia and the country as a whole.
Spain’s immigration policy is shaped by both national and European frameworks. While the central government retains primary authority, regions like Catalonia have long sought greater autonomy in managing migration flows, citing linguistic, cultural, and social factors. The current debate underscores the challenges of balancing humanitarian obligations, security concerns, and regional interests in a rapidly changing political environment. The outcome of Junts’ latest initiative will be closely watched, as it may set a precedent for future negotiations on regional powers and migration management in Spain.
