Irregular immigration control in Spain: commitments and developments

This paper makes a critical examination of the most recent developments in Spanish practice relating to the control of irregular immigration. It analyses the commitments being made in the framework of the European integration process and their implications for the control of external borders as well as the agreements concluded by Spain – treaties and non-binding greements (memorandums of understanding, etc.) − aimed at controlling flows of people. In this context, the article also gives attention to Spain’s international obligations on human rights taking its impact on the issue and the most recent internal developments into account − both in legislative changes approved and those being enacted as administrative practice. In light of the foregoing, a critical assessment of these developments and events (e.g. “hot returns”) is submitted.

Key words: migratory control, treaties, memoranda of understanding, European Union, Spain, human rights.

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