Latest news with #ImmigrationRegulations
Local Spain
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Local Spain
Why waiting times at Spain's immigration offices could get even longer
Processing visas and residency permits could take even longer now due to the fact that extranjería offices are reportedly already "overwhelmed", before new immigration regulations that could worsen the situation considerably. Back in November 2024, Spain announced it was going to make it easier for foreigners to get residency and work permits by approving a series of new immigration reforms, legislation which although good on paper has been met with some doubts by litigators as it could leave some asylum seekers in an increased state of vulnerability. These changes are due to finally come into force this month on May 20th. The new rules are designed to supposedly simplify the regularisation process for migrants living in Spain illegally, as well as making it easy for people to change to different residency options. For example, it will allow foreigners who have studied in Spain to move more easily from a study visa to a residence and work permit. At the same time, however, all this extra paperwork will also greatly increase the workload of administrators. Spanish trade union Comisiones Obreras has even called for a strike due to a "lack of resources" to implement these new regulations, as well as a steep increase in the workload. 'We denounce the unsustainable workload, the precarious working conditions of public employees, and the disastrous management, which is leaving thousands of citizens trapped in a bureaucratic labyrinth with no way out," the union said in a recent statement. The strikes will take place from 12:30 to 2:30pm at all immigration offices in Spain next Tuesday May 19th, one day before the regulations come into effect. In essence, understaffed, overworked and underpaid extranjería staff are fearful of the sheer volume of residency processes immigration officers they are going to have to carry out. Catalan authorities alone say they are looking at regularising the residency and work papers of 200,000 migrants in two years. To make matters worse, just days before the reform of the Immigration Regulations comes into effect, Spain's Ministry of Inclusion has made several amendments to the rules. While these aim to clarify the interpretation of the new regulations, it is also causing more confusion among extranjería workers. Even before the new reforms come into force, long waiting times, trouble getting appointments (citas previas) and phones that are never answered have been chronic issues at many of Spain's extranjería offices. This was recently brought to light by an article in Cadena Ser, where they reported how in order to process an appointment to obtain protected status at Valencia's foreigner office, you have to call on only one particular day of the week at a specific time. Obstacles such as these leave many foreigners in limbo and vulnerable. Appointments are so hard to come by due to the fact that 'mafia' gangs are blocking them all with the help of computer bots and then selling them to desperate foreigners, when in reality appointments should be completely free. For years, Spanish authorities have been unable to stamp out this scam. As Spain's population continues to increase largely due to the arrival of more documented and undocumented foreigners, an already overstretched and trouble-ridden immigration department will have to deal with a sizable increase in its workload, something that is certain to reflect in waiting times for foreigners.
Daily Express
15-05-2025
- Daily Express
China national is fined for breaching the condition on her social visit pass
Published on: Thursday, May 15, 2025 Published on: Thu, May 15, 2025 By: Cynthia D Baga Text Size: Wang was charged under Section 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations which provides for a jail term of up to six months, or a fine of up to RM1,000, or both, on conviction. Kota Kinabalu: A China national who breached the condition on her social visit pass by involving in a business in the State was fined RM500 or three months in prison. Wang Zida pleaded guilty before Sessions Court Judge Hurman Hussain to the charge against her. She was found breaching the condition on her documents at 12.12pm on Apr 22 this year at the premises of 168 Duka Trading Sdn Bhd in Lorong Pokok Kayu Manis 2, Luyang. The charge stated that Wang was involved in the business of the 168 Duka Trading Sdn Bhd and that she violated the condition on her document. Wang was charged under Section 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations which provides for a jail term of up to six months, or a fine of up to RM1,000, or both, on conviction. She paid the fine but was also ordered referred to the Immigration Department for further action. Meanwhile, five illegal foreigners were jailed four months each for illegal entry. They were Gafar Adil, Jipun Adil, Jolpin Aijan, Nazim Mahamud and Analisa Abdul. The five admitted to entering the State without document and they were arrested in Petagas area, recently. During the arrests, the five failed to produce their identity documents to the Immigration personnel who carried out operation at the said area. The court ordered the five to serve the jail sentence from the date of their arrests. After serving their jail sentence, the illegals were ordered referred to the Immigration Department for deportation. Prosecuting Officer Baxter Junior Goh from the Immigration Department appeared for the prosecution. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
24-04-2025
- The Star
Immigration detains nearly 100 foreigners in Puchong
PETALING JAYA: Almost 100 foreign workers from 24 businesses in Puchong were detained in a massive raid by the Immigration Department on Wednesday (April 23). Its director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the operation, which began at 10.30am and involved 54 officers, included raids on grocery stores, food and beverage outlets, salons, car wash services, and clothing retailers. He said that these foreign worker-dominated premises had been operating openly without fear of enforcement by the authorities, according to intelligence gathered over the previous two days. Zakaria said a total of 332 foreign workers were inspected during the operation, which led to 94 of them, aged between 23 and 35, detained for various immigration offences. 'Those detained include foreign nationals from Thailand, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Yemen, Vietnam, Egypt, Palestine, and India. 'Those detained were found to have committed various offences such as a lack of valid identification documents, overstaying in the country, and misuse of permits. 'They were also found to have violated other laws under the Immigration Act, the Passport Act and the Immigration Regulations,' he said in a press release on Thursday. He said another 38 local workers at these businesses were also inspected in the operation. Zakaria added that the foreign workers were believed to have been paid wages ranging from RM50 per day to RM1,500 per month, depending on their working hours and job roles. 'The foreigners are currently being held at the Bukit Jalil Immigration Depot as they await further action,' he said.
