In March, Venezuelan asylum-seekers made up the second highest number of nationals seeking protection in the EU, following those coming from Syria. How are Venezuelans coming to Europe and why are they seeking asylum?
The number of refugees using visa-free travel rights to enter the EU, especially from Latin America, is on the rise. Over the entire bloc, the number of new refugees has fallen to pre-2014 levels.
The economic turmoil in Venezuela has led to an exodus from the country. Those who are able to do so travel to Europe. In Spain, Venezuelan asylum-seekers have come to outnumber applicants from everywhere else.
The Workers' Commissions (Comisiones Obreras) trade union reported that the number of migrants without a regular permit in Catalonia rose 54.6 percent in 2017 compared to the previous year. The union said one of the main reasons for the rise is that migrants have a hard time renewing their work permits.