Andorra Defends Strict Family Reunification Rules After 16 Argentine Families Leave
Government insists on income thresholds and quota distinctions amid complaints from Argentinos en Andorra association over denied minor applications.
Key Points
- 16 Argentine families left Andorra after minor reunification denials due to entry/exit rules.
- Seasonal quota workers have no family reunification rights; general quota requires updated economic thresholds.
- New thresholds ensure income covers Andorra's cost of living to avoid public spending burden.
- Government urges immigrants to research residency laws before relocating.
Andorra's government spokesman, Guillem Casal, has reiterated that immigration laws on family reunification must be respected, responding to complaints from the Argentinos en Andorra association about 16 Argentine families who left the country after their applications for minors were denied solely due to entry/exit regulations.
At a press conference after the Council of Ministers meeting, Casal outlined key distinctions in the rules. Workers entering on seasonal quotas have no right to family reunification, he stressed. Those on general quotas can apply but must meet updated economic thresholds introduced this legislative term to ensure "a dignified life" for family members. Applicants need to demonstrate sufficient income to cover Andorra's cost of living, a measure aimed at preventing the administration from supporting immigrants' relatives and inflating public spending.
The association had previously criticised the criteria, noting the 16 cases where families departed after failing to qualify. Casal rejected claims of unclear government policy on migration and reunification specifics, placing the onus on individuals to research Andorra's residency and immigration laws before moving.
Original Sources
This article was aggregated from the following Catalan-language sources: