Hundreds of migrants evicted from abandoned school by riot police

Wednesday, December 17, 2025 -Police in northeastern Spain have evicted hundreds of mostly undocumented migrants from an abandoned school building north of Barcelona after a court ordered the clearing of the site early Wednesday morning. 

Riot police from Catalonia’s regional force entered the former school in Badalona after many occupants had already left, aware the eviction was imminent. The operation was largely peaceful, though tense, as people gathered their belongings under the watch of heavily equipped officers.

The school had been occupied since 2023, mainly by sub-Saharan migrants from countries including Senegal and Gambia, who had been living there due to a severe shortage of affordable housing and limited access to official shelters. 

Local authorities said the eviction was carried out over safety and public health concerns linked to the deteriorating condition of the building. While the court order required access to social services, it did not guarantee housing for everyone displaced.

Migrant advocates warned that the eviction could leave many people without shelter, particularly during winter, increasing the risk of homelessness. Some of the former occupants may receive temporary accommodation, but many now face uncertainty about where they will stay. 

The eviction has renewed debate over migration management, housing shortages, and the capacity of local governments to respond humanely to growing social pressures.