Portbou faces every month between 140 and 150 hot returns from France, according to data from social services. The small municipality of Alt Empordà, with a population of 1,000 inhabitants, has become a mandatory transit point for homeless people who arrive after being returned by the French authorities.
Concern in the municipality and request for resources
The mayor Gael Rodríguez has stated that the situation generates significant discomfort among residents. The council has promoted a coordination table together with the Comarcal Council of Alt Empordà, the Mossos d'Esquadra, health services, and the Red Cross. The objective is to define a joint strategy and improve care for people who are forced to sleep on the street or to seek temporary shelter.
"In a municipality of 1,000 inhabitants it generates significant discomfort and we want to act" - Gael Rodríguez, mayor of Portbou
Among the first proposed measures, the enabling of a reception space for episodes of extreme cold or heat stands out. The mayor has insisted that Portbou does not have the necessary capacity or structure to assume alone the impact of the returns and will demand more funding and involvement from higher administrations.
"We have neither the capacity nor the structure to assume it alone" - Gael Rodríguez, mayor of Portbou
Social attention and new migratory flows
Every week, two educators from the itinerant service managed by Suara Cooperativa and financed by the Department of Social Rights traverse the streets of the municipality. Their work consists of assisting people who sleep on public roads and offering them accompaniment and basic resources.
Dani Sánchez, homelessness reference person of the Alt Empordà Regional Council, has explained that not all returned people remain in Portbou. Many try to resume the journey by train or cross the mountain passes to continue their journey.
"Not all these people stay in Portbou, many try to resume the journey by train or through the mountain passes" - Dani Sánchez, Consejo Comarcal del Alt Empordà
In addition, social services have detected an increase in people who make the reverse journey, that is to say, who arrive from France towards the Spanish State. These are mainly European citizens who consider that they can find more opportunities in Catalan territory.
"European people who consider that they can find more opportunities here" - Dani Sánchez, Consejo Comarcal del Alt Empordà
Demand for structural solutions
The Portbou town council insists on the need for a coordinated response and demands the involvement of the Girona Provincial Council, the Generalitat and the central Government. Mayor Rodríguez has stressed that the problem cannot be ignored and that it is essential to act to guarantee care and coexistence in the municipality.
"We cannot ignore the problem, we have to act" - Gael Rodríguez, mayor of Portbou
- Between 140 and 150 monthly hot returns from France to Portbou
- The city council promotes a coordination table with Mossos, Red Cross and social services
- A reception space will be enabled for episodes of extreme cold or heat
- The consistory claims more resources and institutional support to face the situation