The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the asylum system, causing drastic reductions in asylum applications in Spain following the closure of borders. The number of asylum requests had been steadily increasing from 2,588 in 2012 to over 14,000 per month in January and February 2020, before plummeting to less than a hundred in April and May due to the pandemic.
The situation was further exacerbated for asylum seekers in Ceuta and Melilla, where those awaiting relocation were affected by halted maritime and air routes, leading to overcrowding in temporary accommodation centers. The pandemic also disrupted asylum procedures, delaying the first step of formalizing asylum requests for those who were new arrivals or had already initiated the process. The validity of residence permits was extended, which increased the precariousness of documentation for asylum seekers.
In terms of impact on housing, the pandemic's effects varied depending on whether asylum seekers were part of an accommodation program. Those within the system remained in their respective accommodations during the lockdown, though services like social assistance and language courses were reduced. As for those outside these programs, their precarious living conditions were exacerbated by the pandemic, with mutual aid from family, friends, and local government support being crucial.
Looking ahead, several questions remain unresolved, including the potential return to pre-pandemic asylum application numbers when borders reopen. The process of resuming asylum procedures might lead to a backlog of denials, especially considering the work done remotely during the pandemic. The future of the accommodation program is also uncertain, with concerns about potential limitations affecting those living on the streets and the role of social organizations in the new governance structure.
The current pandemic highlights the importance of including all population groups in health and social policies for them to be effective. Situations of overcrowding, residential exclusion, or labor precariousness not only undermine the rights of those experiencing them but also weaken any policy aimed at reducing epidemic outbreaks or fostering social cohesion in economically severe crises. Therefore, it's crucial to ensure the living conditions of asylum seekers and those whose asylum requests are denied.
