Spain's new immigration law is on the verge of approval

The draft of Spain's immigration law, which would transfer immigration powers to the regions, is one step closer to approval.

The draft has been submitted to the Spanish Congress after an agreement between the parties.

The agreement reached by the parties has resulted in a draft law on immigration in Catalonia that does not change the region's competences and is part of the constitutional framework, said Yolanda Díaz, Spain's deputy prime minister.

The draft law, which still needs to be approved by parliament, includes the transfer of powers to the region on the expulsion and return of illegal immigrants, the exclusive management of reception centers for foreigners and border control operations carried out by the Catalan police together with Spanish security forces.

The deputy prime minister invoked Article 150 of the constitution, which provides for the sharing of powers without altering the exclusive powers of the Spanish government.

Díaz also called on the opposition Popular Party to carefully study the draft law and present any changes it believes should be made to the draft proposal under consideration.

The agreement to transfer powers over immigration policy was one of the conditions for the Catalan party to continue supporting the minority coalition.

Many of the proposals included in the draft agreement have angered Spain’s right-wing opposition groups and have even sparked protests.

The delegated powers include managing residence permits, returning and expelling asylum seekers, social integration, labor and language policies, as well as measures to support victims of human trafficking.