The motion, presented by the Vox councilor, proposed suspending the immigrant regularization process, establishing priority for Spaniards in accessing social aid, and repealing the decree guaranteeing healthcare for people in irregular administrative situations. However, the initiative did not succeed, as all municipal groups voted against it, leaving Vox as the only party to support the proposal.
“"The result of the vote seems like good news to us because it demonstrates a clear consensus against discourses that target and criminalize a part of the population. We believe it is important to defend public policies based on coexistence and equal treatment."
During the plenary session, a representative from the Morvedre Acull association intervened to defend the need to guarantee basic rights and combat discourses that, in their opinion, criminalize the migrant population. They recalled that these individuals «are people, not statistics, who have come here to seek a dignified life» and added that public services have not been deteriorated by immigration, but by years of cuts and privatizations.
The entity also highlighted that the idea of «national priority» has a very short lifespan when contrasted with the Spanish Constitution, the Penal Code, and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, which expressly prohibit discrimination based on origin. Furthermore, it emphasized that migrant individuals are victims of labor exploitation and violence, and many do not dare to report it for fear of expulsion.
Next Sunday, May 10, Morvedre Acull will hold a new «Circle of Silence», a monthly concentration to raise awareness about the situation of migrants and refugees and to demand fair policies. On this occasion, the event will focus on the regularization of migrant individuals and support for the Royal Decree of April 14, as «regularizing is recognizing the reality of people who already live here, already work here, and deserve to do so with rights».
