Spain: 56 Algerian illegal immigrants face unknown fate in detention centre

Head of the Barcelona-based Algeria Association Abed Hocni expressed his anger over Algerian illegal immigrants’ situation in a detention centres in Spain. They are held for 60 days then kicked out to Algeria.

“A total of 56 Algerian immigrants were put into a detention centre in Barcelona. They will stay there for about 60 days. Then, they will be released unless they had been prosecuted for previous cases. Yet, this country insists on deporting them to Algeria,” Hocni told Echorouk.

“The number of illegal immigrants increases in summer. It reaches 200 who are held in a detention centre in Barcelona. All the illegal immigrants are detained in this centre after being arrested in Valencia, Almeria and Barcelona,” he added.

He also said the illegal immigrants wait for 60 days before they are released to start looking for a job. Yet, they are surprised by their deportation to their mother nation.

“Many illegal immigrants went to Spain to gain money. They are deported to their homeland without having the opportunity to make their dream come true,” he added.

According to the Hocni, many associations defend immigrants’ rights in Spain. They call on Algerian authorities to give a chance to those people until they settle their situation. 

Earlier in November, tens of Algerian illegal immigrants in a Spanish town protested against authorities and called for providing them with food and water.