Catalonia set to gain control over migration and border management
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The bill submitted by the Spanish Socialists Workers' Party and Junts per Catalunya, will allow the autonomous community to handle matters related to migration and its borders.
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Protesters hold independence flags during a demonstration to celebrate the Catalan National Day in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, Sept. 11, 2023 (AP)
The Spanish Socialists Workers' Party (PSOE) and pro-independence Junts per Catalunya (Together for Catalonia) have submitted a bill that would see a partial transfer of immigration powers to Catalonia on Tuesday.
"This morning, the PSOE and Junts per Catalunya parliamentary groups registered in the Congress a proposal for an organic law on delegation of powers in immigration matters," the initiative document released by the two parties read.
📄 COMUNICAT DE PREMSA
— Junts per Catalunya🎗 (@JuntsXCat) March 4, 2025
Aquest matí els grups parlamentaris del PSOE i de Junts per Catalunya han registrat al Congrés dels Diputats la proposta de Llei orgànica de Delegació de competències en matèria d'Immigració. pic.twitter.com/Fx36q6Rwye
The regional Catalan police will be authorized to collaborate with the national police and Civil Guard in maintaining security across borders, ports, and airports, while the Catalan administration will assume exclusive responsibility for issuing both temporary and long-term residence permits for migrants and will gain the autonomy to set quotas for foreign employment.
Furthermore, Catalonia will expand its police force by 1,800 officers, bringing the total to 26,800, while the Catalan police, known as Mossos d'Esquadra, will be granted the authority to handle administrative procedures concerning migration issues, including the enforcement of deportation decisions, with these developments strengthening the region’s role in law enforcement and immigration control.
The transfer of powers will take place under Article 150.2 of the Spanish Constitution, which permits the delegation of state functions to self-governed communities, ensuring that Catalonia gains greater authority in areas previously managed at the national level.
With 18% of its population consisting of foreigners and 24% having been born outside the region, Catalonia has a significant migrant presence, creating the need for an independent migration policy, as stated in an explanatory note to the bill.
