Several NGOs in Spain's Catalonia region have voiced their concerns over what they describe as a growing trend of hostility towards migrants, particularly in municipalities adopting policies that prolong residence procedures, preventing applicants from accessing essential services. This issue has been brought to light in a report by El Periódico de Catalunya.

Ripoll, over a dozen families left in limbo

The report focuses on Ripoll, a town already known for its association with individuals involved in the 2017 Barcelona terrorist attack. The town's council, currently led by Sílvia Orriols from the separatist far-right party Aliança Catalana, has faced accusations of implementing policies that hinder migrant families' access to residency, subsequently denying them basic services, including pediatric healthcare, vaccinations, and schooling.

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Spanish law and response by mayor

According to Spanish law, municipalities are given a maximum of three months to complete the procedure to grant residency to applicants. However, the report suggests that some councils, including Ripoll, intentionally delay the process to the full extent allowed by law.

In response to the accusations, Orriols defended the municipality's approach by stating that they are adhering to their electoral program. "The headline should be: the mayor of Ripoll complies with the electoral program" was how Orriols herself responded on social media.

The report indicates that similar methods have allegedly been employed in other Catalan municipalities, cutting across various political affiliations of town councils.

Also read: Report: 6,618 migrants died en route to Spain in 2023