The Spanish government on Tuesday approved two preliminary bills: a new asylum law and a reform of the immigration law. The measures provide for faster processing of international protection applications and the return of migrants whose requests are rejected within a maximum of 12 weeks.
The move comes amid the migration crisis in Ceuta, following the arrival of around 80,000 migrants on July 30 and 31, with several thousand still in the city. The reforms are intended to bring Spanish legislation in line with the European Pact on Migration and Asylum.
The proposed asylum law distinguishes between a standard procedure and an accelerated one, under which cases would be decided within three months, as well as a “border procedure” to process certain applications before applicants are formally allowed to enter the country, making it easier to return them if their claims are rejected. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said applying this procedure to minors would be “highly exceptional,” while guaranteeing the rights of people seeking protection and those in vulnerable situations.
The reform of the immigration law, meanwhile, establishes a “screening” mechanism for migrants who entered the country irregularly. This includes a medical examination, an assessment of vulnerability, identity verification, the collection of biometric data, and security checks. The process would be completed within 72 hours, extendable only by judicial order.
Both texts remain at an initial stage and will be submitted to advisory bodies before being referred to parliament.