Far-right wants to copy the Trump administration's deportation model in Spain

Vox's racist rhetoric, marked by terms like "migratory invasion" and "remigration" — a variation of the great replacement theory, created by French writer Renaud Camus —, suggests the expulsion of up to eight million people, including citizens born in Spain .

The idea is inspired by the actions of US President Donald Trump , who attempted to restrict automatic citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants. However, this initiative was deemed unconstitutional by a US appeals court .

On Wednesday (23), the 9th District Court of Appeals decided to maintain the blockade of Trump's executive order that sought to end the right to citizenship for all people born in the United States, a principle enshrined in the 14th Amendment of the American Constitution more than 150 years ago. The court concluded that Trump's decision directly violates the Constitution.

Justice Ronald Gould stated that limiting the suspension of the order to certain states would be ineffective, given the variability between regions with different rules. The Supreme Court, while avoiding a ruling on the constitutional merits of the presidential order, acknowledged that class action lawsuits can be used to block broad executive actions.

This legal precedent in the US reinforces constitutional limits that also exist in Spain. Experts point out that implementing the far-right Vox party's proposal would require amending the Spanish Constitution, the Civil Code, and several international treaties—including the European Convention on Human Rights.

In Spain, deportations can only be carried out individually, based on reasoned decisions and in compliance with due process . Summary expulsions, such as those suggested by Vox, are illegal. Furthermore, stripping citizenship from people born in the country is legally impossible, except in exceptional cases involving serious crimes.

Vox's proposal also ignores the economic impact of immigration . With an aging population and a low birth rate, Spain relies on immigrant labor to support its pension system and maintain economic dynamism.

Experts and official statistics highlight the growing role of immigrants in the Spanish economy. According to recent data from the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, released in March, 13.7% of Spanish Social Security contributors are foreigners—almost 900,000 more than in the same month of 2019. Last year, 41% of new jobs were filled by immigrant workers.

Among taxpayers born outside the European Union , the main groups originate from Morocco , followed by Colombia , Venezuela, and China . Lucila Rodríguez, director of the PorCausa Foundation, warns of the risk of normalizing radical measures through the so-called "Overton window"—a discursive strategy that exaggerates proposals to make smaller actions socially acceptable. "Vox might not expel eight million, but 10,000, and that would already be a problem, especially if other governments follow suit," she states.

Vox's proposal, while politically effective in mobilizing its base, runs up against robust legal barriers and fundamental democratic principles. The American case shows that even in systems with a conservative majority, such as the U.S. Supreme Court, there are constitutional limits that protect basic rights such as birthright citizenship.

The attempt to import authoritarian models of migration management, such as Trump's, encounters legal and social resistance, and raises profound questions about the future of democracy, inclusion and pluralistic coexistence in Europe .

In recent days, images of the city of Torre Pacheco in flames have circulated around the world, following a series of riots sparked by far-right groups calling for violent actions against immigrants. The incidents occurred two days after the Vox party publicly proposed the deportation of millions of people, and were triggered by an attack by young people of North African descent against a 68-year-old man identified as Domingo.

The case sparked local outrage, but was also exploited by extremist groups like "Deport Them Now" and "Desokupa," who mobilized through networks like Telegram and Signal to attack people from North Africa , regardless of any involvement in the crime.

Residents of Torre Pacheco reported to the France 24 TV channel's website concerns about crimes such as home and vehicle thefts, which they attribute mostly to young Maghrebians. However, they also acknowledge that the majority of the migrant population is integrated and works in the formal economy.

"About 90% of the crime here comes from this group. There are perhaps 10,000 Muslims in Torre Pacheco, who are excellent people, but some come just to commit crimes, especially the young. It's not the immigrants' fault; it's the criminal immigrants' fault. There are many who are good neighbors and hard workers, but there is also a percentage who make a living from drug trafficking and theft," said José Luis, a resident of the city who preferred to withhold his last name and said he has been robbed twice.

Despite the perception that immigration is linked to increased crime, national data points otherwise. According to the Crime Report for the first quarter of 2025, released by the Spanish Ministry of the Interior, there was a 2.8% drop in criminal offenses compared to the same period the previous year—falling from 606,377 to 589,683 crimes recorded by law enforcement.

Although there are cases of immigrants involved in crimes, authorities emphasize that crime does not increase with immigration. The reality is more complex and requires careful analysis.

A study by the organization More in Common reveals that Spanish society's attitudes toward immigration are diverse and nuanced. Conducted between March 29 and April 5, 2025, the survey shows that Spaniards are more concerned about immigration control than the number of immigrants.

"Control, in the eyes of society, means ensuring that the country maintains the ability to manage its borders, with clear rules that prevent suffering or discrimination and facilitate the integration of migrants into the labor market," explains Luis Aguado, president of the organization in Spain.

According to the survey:

• 44% consider immigration a necessity that must be well managed;
• 19% see it as an opportunity for the country;
• 29% see it as a threat that needs to be combated.

Despite the tensions, Spain stands out as the European country with the most positive perception of immigration. The exception is far-right voters, who largely associate immigration with risks and threats.