Spanish MEP Jorge Buxadé Villalba (Patriots for Europe) has asked the European Commission what measures it will take to prevent the regularisation of criminals under a new Spanish royal decree, arguing the policy threatens the security of the Schengen Area. In a written parliamentary question submitted on 21 April 2026, Buxadé claims that around 31% of prisoners in Spain are foreigners, many of them illegal immigrants, and that the decree's mechanism for obtaining criminal record certificates from countries of origin is easily circumvented via self-declaration.
The question, filed under priority procedure, targets the Commission's responsibility under Article 67(3) TFEU to ensure a high level of security within the EU. Buxadé specifically asks what measures the Commission will propose to protect Spaniards and other Europeans, and how it can coordinate with Europol to facilitate the detention and deportation of dangerous criminals, including those who regularise their stay in Spain.
he calls for immediate deportation of dangerous criminals and for Europol coordination. The tone is alarmist, framing the decree as a direct threat to internal security and the integrity of Schengen. The MEP's underlying policy orientation is clearly restrictive on immigration and law enforcement, advocating for stricter controls and prioritising security over regularisation.
The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks. Its answer will signal whether it views the Spanish decree as a matter of national competence or as a potential breach of EU security standards, and whether it plans any follow-up action at EU level.
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