Spanish authorities have evicted around 400 mostly undocumented migrants from a long‑occupied school building in Badalona, a city near Barcelona, in northeast Spain. The abandoned structure had been used as a squat since 2023, providing shelter to people many from Senegal and Gambia who could not afford housing amid rising living costs.
The eviction, carried out under a court order that declared the building unsafe, was completed largely without violence early on 17 December 2025, though moments of tension occurred as migrants gathered their belongings and left under the watch of police in riot gear. Authorities detained at least 18 individuals on suspicion of illegal residence following the operation.
While a small number of those displaced were offered temporary shelter or social services, legal advocates warned that many could face the harsh winter outdoors. Lawyers representing the evictees said some had valid residency or work permits but were forced to live in the squat due to Spain’s housing crisis, which has left many including documented workers unable to afford rent or purchase homes.
The eviction reflects broader tensions in Spain over migration and housing policy, with local leaders and activists clashing over how to balance public safety concerns with humanitarian needs. Badalona’s conservative mayor defended the action on safety grounds, citing past tragedies in unsafe buildings, but critics argue that more comprehensive housing solutions are needed for vulnerable migrant populations.
