Spain moves to tighten immigration laws

Like several other European countries, Spain has also decided to tighten its immigration laws.

According to foreign media reports, the Spanish government took the decision following a crisis that emerged at the end of last month, when more than 60,000 migrants entered Spain’s territory of Ceuta from Morocco. Around 40 people also lost their lives while attempting to cross the border.

Following the major border crisis, the Spanish government decided to review the country’s immigration and asylum laws.

Speaking at a press conference after a cabinet meeting, Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said the government had approved a draft bill to amend immigration and asylum laws, which will now be submitted to parliament for approval. He said the reforms aim to bring Spain’s laws in line with European Union directives.

The Spanish interior minister further said the proposed reforms are intended to improve and speed up the process of handling asylum applications, while also ensuring Spain’s security.

According to the report, although most of the migrants returned to Morocco within the first three days, thousands remain in Ceuta, the Spanish territory in North Africa. Many of them are living in temporary shelters or out in the open.

Spain has previously opposed major parts of such legislation, maintaining that a more comprehensive and humanitarian approach would be more effective in addressing the migration crisis.

Spanish authorities have also said that fundamental human rights will continue to be guaranteed under the new system.