Getting an appointment at a police station has become an ordeal for many immigrants. The Ombudsman is well aware of this—he has been hearing complaints for years—and has once again pressed the Ministry of the Interior to take action. In a recent recommendation, he calls for urgent measures to ensure that foreigners can access the appointment system at police stations. And the situation, far from improving, has worsened. So don’t get your hopes up.
The problem isn’t limited to asylum seekers. It also affects you if you need a foreigner’s identity card, a re-entry permit, or a letter of invitation. The pandemic made everything worse: during the state of emergency, in-person services ground to a halt and work piled up. Now demand continues to grow, and resources, according to the Ombudsman, remain insufficient. So you know the drill: be patient and get moving early.
This isn’t the first time the institution has spoken out. Back in December 2018, it asked the General Commission for Immigration and Borders to provide a written confirmation of the appointment. At that time, there were people spending days and nights on the street to secure an asylum appointment. The request was rejected. Now the Ombudsman is insisting and raising the stakes: he is also demanding that asylum interviews be conducted under appropriate conditions and by trained staff. That said, don’t expect changes overnight.
The most dramatic case is that of Eleazar Blandón, a Nicaraguan seasonal worker who died in Lorca (Murcia). He had expressed his intention to seek asylum, but the delay in scheduling his appointment prevented him from formalizing his application within the one-month deadline. He never made it into the reception system. The Ombudsman has requested information from the Public Prosecutor’s Office regarding the investigation into his death. A story that should stir consciences.
If you are trapped in this maze, you can contact the Ombudsman. They have a toll-free number: 900 101 025 (only from Spain). You can also send an email to registro@defensordelpueblo.es or write a letter to Calle Zurbano, 42, 28010 Madrid. That said, don’t expect an immediate solution: the system is overwhelmed, and complaints are piling up. But at least give it a try.
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