The Catalan government proposes that Catalan be taken into account in the regularization of migrants.

BarcelonaThe Government has welcomed the extraordinary regularization of half a million immigrants Announced by the State, this program could benefit up to 150,000 people in Catalonia. However, the Catalan government wants to introduce a modification: that knowledge of Catalan be "taken into account" when regularized migrants face their first renewal of residence permits. This proposal arose from the first follow-up meeting of the National Pact for the Language, chaired by the Minister of Language Policy, Francesc Xavier Vila. The Catalan government will present an amendment to the Spanish government's royal decree to introduce this change.

How will this mechanism work? The Catalan government proposes modifying the immigration regulations so that regularized individuals have one year, until their first residence permit renewal, to begin learning Catalan. It would be up to each regional government to decide how this language proficiency is accredited, and the Catalan government has not yet specified what would be required in Catalonia. In any case, the Ministry of Language Policy will be involved in monitoring the regularization process to guarantee an "adequate supply of courses" and study materials, as explained in a statement. "The Government will provide all the necessary resources so that those who have been able to regularize their status have access, because we understand that it is a fundamental tool for social cohesion," the Minister emphasized.

The regularization of migrants is the result of a pact between the PSOE and Podemos, which had made it a condition for sitting down to negotiate the transfer of immigration powers to Catalonia, a transfer that, in turn, was agreed upon by Junts and the Socialists. Precisely, one of the reasons the Junts members had put forward for wanting the transfer was that knowledge of Catalan be introduced as a requirement for granting a residence permit. With this move, the government of Salvador Illa is making a concession to the Junts members, who boycotted the government. and they did not join the National Pact for the LanguageNor did the CUP. ERC and Comuns, however, are present.

Within the framework of the ordinary document renewal processes, Catalan language skills already play a role in granting the permit. In exercise of the powers it has recognized in matters of receptionThe Catalan government (Generalitat) is responsible for processing integration reports for immigrants, an essential step for the Spanish state to grant them a residence and/or work permit. To obtain the report, which can be favorable or unfavorable, candidates must complete Catalan language courses and courses on the Catalan labor market and society.

Six months after the National Pact

Six months after launching the National Pact for the Catalan Language, the Catalan Government today took stock of its progress. A third of the pact's measures have been implemented, and more than 60 percent are already underway, according to the Minister. One of the objectives set is to reach 600,000 new Catalan speakers by 2030, with an annual growth rate of 100,000. Language requirements in public procurement have been strengthened, and resources available to municipalities and organizations to promote Catalan have been increased. Scholarships and grants have also been offered to prepare for competitive examinations related to the administration of justice, with the aim of encouraging Catalan lawyers to pursue careers in the country. Furthermore, the Catalan Government has provided training to professionals in the retail and hospitality sectors in various cities and continues to work with unions to promote language learning in the workplace.

In the health sector, the Catalan government has implemented a plan to guarantee the knowledge and use of Catalan and has launched a learning program specifically for healthcare professionals. The Department of Language Policy also highlights efforts to ensure that Catalan is "the language normally used as the language of instruction and learning" in schools, in addition to reception classrooms. Training for new teachers to guarantee knowledge of immersion teaching methods has been increased by five hours, and grants have been awarded to increase the availability of magazines, audiobooks, and video games in Catalan, among other initiatives. "The National Pact for the Language encompasses all areas of life, from education to the world of work, culture, sports, and community life," said Vila. In its first six months, 226 of Catalonia's 947 municipalities joined the pact, representing 62.41% of the Catalan population. The next progress report will be published in March.