Spain’s hard-right party Vox sparked backlash on Tuesday after vowing to expel migrants ‘who come to commit crimes’, including unaccompanied children.
The commitment was first made by Vox MP Rocio de Meer on Monday, when she floated the idea of ‘mass deportations’ during a speech, as part of what she called a ‘remigration plan.’
Doubling down on her comments, she said the Spanish ‘have a right to survive as a people.’
This was today backed by party leader Santiago Abascal, confirming the hardening of their anti-immigration stance – seemingly emboldened by their allies in the Donald Trump administration.
The proposal could affect both undocumented migrants and legal residents – including Spanish-born children of foreign nationals – and has sparked widespread condemnation.
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The sitting Socialist (PSOE) government labelled the idea ‘vomitous,’ while the conservative Popular Party (PP) also distanced itself, warning that mass deportations would violate both the Spanish Constitution and EU law.
‘They are all going to leave,’ Abascal declared in a social media post, saying his party would expel anyone ‘who has come to commit crimes… impose a strange religion… belittle or abuse women or live off the efforts of others.’
He added that all unaccompanied minors – known in Spain by the often pejorative term of menas – should also be deported, insisting ‘minors must be with their parents.’
When pressed about the scale of the proposed removals, Abascal admitted no figures had been calculated, but said: ‘When we come to power, we will know.’
He added: ‘And the first to celebrate alongside the Spanish will be the legal immigrants, those who follow the rules and respect the country that welcomes them.’
The Spanish Eye has contacted Vox to ask if British and American residents would be under threat under their government.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez posted on X today: ‘Spain was for decades a land of departure, of strength beyond our borders.
‘Today it is a land of welcome, and those who arrive contribute with their effort to building a better Spain. Let us not forget where we come from to understand who we are.’
The PP quickly moved to draw a line between its own immigration policy and that of Vox.
‘We do not share Vox’s position in that regard,’ said PP Secretary General Miguel Tellado in an interview with Onda Cero.
While acknowledging that irregular immigration is a ‘problem,’ he reiterated the need for ‘regular and orderly immigration’ and pointed to existing legislation that provides legal pathways for foreign nationals who have been living in Spain for years.
PP spokesperson in Congress, Ester Muñoz, was more explicit, stating that ‘mass deportations cannot be carried out,’ citing constitutional protections and European legal frameworks.
‘Just as mass regularisations are not possible, neither are mass deportations,’ she said.
The proposal drew sharper rebukes from the Socialist-led government.
Elma Saiz, Minister for Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, said Vox’s plan would target people who have lived in Spain for years – along with their Spanish-born children – calling the proposal ‘vomitous.’
She also challenged the PP to break decisively with Vox’s rhetoric, warning that silence would make it an ‘accomplice’ to what she described as an ‘act of barbarity.’
Government spokesperson Pilar Alegria also weighed in, saying: ‘I want to send a clear message to all the people who have come here to work and build a better life: Don’t be afraid. We are happy you’re here – and what Vox is proposing will not happen.’
Read more Spain news at the Spanish Eye.
