Spain will deport 55 foreign criminals in major crackdown

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Out you go! 55 repeat offenders booted from the Basque Country in a major deportation push.

Ertzaintza Kaleborroka guarding the streets during an unrelated conflict in San Sebastian, Spain.

Credit: Shutterstock, Megapixeles.es

Spain’s patience appears to be wearing thin. Is deporting foreign criminals the right move, or should repeat offenders be offered asylum to safeguard their human rights?

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The long arm of the law has delivered a knockout blow to foreign criminals in the Basque Country, with the Policía Nacional giving 55 repeat offenders their marching orders straight to their home countries. This year’s deportation crackdown has seen offenders with bulging rap sheets sent packing from Álava, Gipuzkoa, and Bizkaia, in a bid to clean up the streets.

A total of 28 deportations were carried out in Bizkaia, 19 in Gipuzkoa, and 8 in Álava. The offenders weren’t exactly choirboys – many had records for crimes ranging from violent robberies and drug trafficking to sexual assaults and domestic abuse. Among those escorted out are individuals of Moroccan, Colombian, Nicaraguan, Algerian, Brazilian, Venezuelan, Romanian, and Albanian nationalities. Adding insult to injury, all of them were living in the Basque Country illegally.

The deportation dossier

The heavy lifting in this operation has been handled by the Policía Nacional’s Immigration and Borders Brigades, working tirelessly across Euskadi. These agents weren’t alone, with local police forces like the Ertzaintza lending a hand.

Marisol Garmendia, the Government Delegate in the Basque Country, sang their praises:

“This is a testament to the vital collaboration between the Policía Nacional, the Ertzaintza, and local police forces. Every deportation was carried out in strict compliance with the law and required conditions.”

How does it work?

The process is as tough as it is thorough. Once a person suspected of living in Spain illegally pops onto the radar, officers swing into action, whisking them to the Policía Nacional offices. Here, an administrative deportation file is prepared, and the individual is released with orders to leave voluntarily within a set timeframe.

If they don’t hit the road and are caught again, it’s game over. Deportation proceedings are finalised, and the individual is sent back home – if agreements with their country of origin allow it.

Trouble across Spain

While the Basque police spearheaded this operation, many of these offenders have been busy causing headaches nationwide, with records stretching to Madrid, Catalonia, Murcia, Valencia, and Andalusia.