Immigrant Detention Centres in Spain: a critical assessment

This paper presents a critical examination of the management of irregular migration flows in Spain and the legal principles and administrative practices implemented by the State in the process of expulsion that legitimise the existence of Immigrant Detention Centres (CIE). It also provides a description of the current situation of the CIE, and reports on the most recent proposals made by the Spanish government to improve the management of CIE in response to pressure exerted by civil society organisations, especially after public protests regarding the death of two inmates in December 2011 and January 2012.