The restrictions on mobility during the COVID-19 crisis have revealed two sides of the same coin. On the one hand, confinement as a privilege of urban classes that can isolate themselves from the outside world; on the other hand, the deepening of the labor, housing and legal vulnerability experienced by immigrants —especially those with insufficient income—, elderly without support networks, care workers, newcomers, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants.
Amid this crisis Barcelona has become a visible face by asking its national government and the European Union to act so that immigrants and refugees are not left behind during the pandemic. Examples of these actions are the decision to sign, together with nine other cities belonging to the Solidarity Cities initiative, a letter expressing to the institutions of the European Union their willingness to welcome unaccompanied refugee minors who live in camps in the Greek islands.
At the local level, the City Council, together with entities belonging to the Municipal Immigration Council (CMIB), asked the Government of Spain for an extraordinary regularization of immigrants. It also started a campaign that asks municipalities not to hinder the registration of foreigners under the slogan 'Padrò són drets' (‘Registration equals rights’). Likewise, the City Council revealed, together with local immigrant and social entities, the different actions aimed at offering aid and services without discrimination on the basis of immigration status.
