A year ago, the National Police dealt a blow to a network that was blocking immigration appointments with a computer robot and making tens of thousands of euros by selling them on the black market. The most coveted appointments were those for asylum, which could be sold for up to 200 euros. Despite measures to prevent piracy and facilitate relations between foreigners and the Administration, the issue continues to worry the Ombudsman. The institution is currently handling 2,500 complaints from people struggling to apply for asylum, indicating a lack of resources being used effectively.
After the arrest of the alleged ringleader of the network, an engineer who designed software to hijack appointments, the police changed the traditional appointment system, and each police station decided on a different method to process requests (phone, email, in person). However, despite these measures, the Ombudsman continues to receive a high number of complaints about the lack of asylum appointments. The Ombudsman’s resolution reveals that Spain systematically violates the European directive that sets a three-day deadline for registering asylum requests. The Spanish asylum system, which has been calling for structural reforms for years, remains precarious despite the increasing number of applications.
Among the 2,500 complaints received by the Ombudsman are individuals who have been trying for months to get a first asylum appointment, preventing them from accessing the reception system. Many families are also not being seen together when they go to police stations. This practice disrupts family unity and prevents full access to the reception system. Delays are also a major issue, such as a case where a Venezuelan woman had an appointment in Lugo almost two years later, in December 2025. Such delays leave vulnerable individuals on the streets and create dependence on social assistance.
The Ombudsman praises efforts by the State Secretary of Security and National Police to improve access to appointment systems but deems the measures taken insufficient. The Ombudsman calls for changes to resolve deficiencies outlined in complaints. The decision to delegate responsibilities to the National Police by the Ministry of the Interior without increasing resources has led to dissatisfaction among all involved parties. This move, which started in 2013 and was generalized in 2015, has overloaded the police with asylum requests, requiring additional resources and causing delays for applicants, as managing asylum requests is just one of many tasks the Police handle.
The refusal of the police chiefs to deal with the constant influx of asylum requests without adequate resources was highlighted during a crisis at Barajas Airport. The Ombudsman’s annual report from 2020 emphasized the need to revisit the collaboration with the National Police, as the current system is causing ongoing issues. Despite the crucial role the police play in managing the increase in asylum requests, the collaboration must be reevaluated to address the dysfunction in the system that results in constant complaints. This situation has been highlighted in the Ombudsman’s reports for the past five years, indicating a need for significant changes in the current asylum appointment process.
