Andorran Social Democrats Demand Halt to Minor-Linked Permit Revocations

The Partit Socialdemòcrata (PS) has called on Andorra's government to immediately halt work and residence permit revocation proceedings linked to undocumented minor children, while demanding a review of family reunification policies.

PS president Pere Baró, who also serves as deputy president of the Social Democrat parliamentary group, and executive committee member Gerard Alís outlined the demands at a Tuesday morning press conference. They criticised the government's lack of a clear migration roadmap, arguing that recent changes under Law 5/2025—introduced via an omnibus bill—risk violating children's rights and apply retroactively to previously tolerated cases.

Baró listed five key measures: an immediate suspension of all ongoing annulment processes; individual case reviews accounting for factors such as school integration; a clear temporary regularisation pathway for affected minors; revisions to the law if needed to protect children's interests; and public disclosure of data on open cases, families, and minors involved, directed at head of government Xavier Espot or the relevant official.

Alís emphasised Andorra's need for immigration to address labour shortages and one of Europe's lowest fertility rates, stressing that workers must be able to build family lives. He cited the Ciutadà's Raonador estimating around 30 open cases that could lead to family expulsions, despite rhetoric promoting a welcoming Andorra. "You can't advocate for a welcoming Andorra in speeches and then enforce exclusion through administrative files," Baró said.

The leaders highlighted risks to settled schoolchildren and skilled professionals, urging a balance between controls and economic needs. They noted the rules' impact on long-term residents and called for reviewing family reunification's economic criteria.

The PS gave the government a short window to release the figures voluntarily, warning of parliamentary questions or information requests otherwise. No response has come from the executive.