The approval of an extraordinary decree to regularize half a million migrants has caused a surge in requests at Madrid's social services centers. Since the measure came into force last Wednesday, the capital has seen a significant increase, rising from approximately 1,500 daily appointments to 4,000 on the day of publication in the BOE (Official State Gazette) and an additional 5,500 on Thursday.
The local head of management, the delegate for Social Policies, Family, and Equality at the City Council, confirmed this Monday the “collapse” of municipal services. He attributes this situation to the central government's lack of consensus with autonomous communities in planning the regularization process. The Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration enabled Social Security centers and Immigration offices to expand their service capacity.
“"What I am not going to do (...) is certify what we cannot accredit."
Last Friday, the mayor of Madrid stated that the City Council would not collaborate with the central government beyond its usual competencies, in response to being excluded from the planning. A day earlier, the City Council had begun distributing non-binding forms to gauge applications. This Monday, the first official regularization request was registered.
One of the key requirements for the regularization of more disadvantaged profiles is the new vulnerability certificate. The head of Social Policies reported that this document did not reach his offices until last Thursday, with the decree already approved and numerous applications accumulated. This report, which certifies situations of extreme vulnerability, will only be issued in Madrid if there has been prior intervention by Social Services.
The City Council has criticized the central government, suggesting that the regularization responds to “parliamentary interests” and calling for the decree's repeal.
