Spain’s government announced on Tuesday that it will grant legal status to potentially hundreds of thousands of unauthorised immigrants living and working in the country. This action, facilitated by an expedited decree amending immigration laws, contrasts sharply with the stricter immigration policies in the United States and much of Europe.
Spanish Minister of Migration Elma Saiz explained that eligible immigrants will receive up to one year of legal residency and work permission. This initiative could benefit around 500,000 people, though some estimates suggest the number could reach 800,000. Many of these immigrants are from Latin America or Africa and work in essential sectors like agriculture and tourism.
To qualify, immigrants must have arrived in Spain before December 31, 2025, and demonstrate at least 5 months of residency and a clean criminal record. Saiz announced that applications will be accepted from April to June, with resources allocated to ensure a smooth processing of applications, despite concerns from police unions about a potential backlog.
The Spanish government recently made a surprising decision following a last-minute agreement between the ruling Socialist Party and the leftist Podemos party, aimed at securing parliamentary support for Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez‘s shaky government. Irene Montero, a Podemos lawmaker, announced the deal and criticised US immigration practices, saying, “If they kidnap children, murder, and terrorise people, we give them papers.”
This announcement was celebrated by numerous migrant rights groups and Catholic organisations that had gathered 700,000 signatures for a similar initiative. “We are not used to these victories,” said Silvana Cabrera from RegularizaciónYa (RegularizationNow). The movement gained traction during the COVID-19 pandemic when vulnerable immigrants worked essential jobs without protections.
The Spanish Episcopal Conference called the decision an “act of social justice.” Laetitia Van der Vennet of PICUM, a European network of migrant rights organisations, noted that this step reflects compassion and common sense amid rising hostility towards migrants in many places.
Spain has a history of granting amnesty to undocumented immigrants, having done so six times between 1986 and 2005. Anna Terrón Cusi of the Migration Policy Institute noted that past amnesties had a significant positive impact on the workforce, legalising workers’ status and creating formal jobs.
The current measure is seen as a way for Spain to prepare for the new European migration and asylum pact, which emphasises deportations. By providing legal status to undocumented migrants, Sánchez aims to protect their rights and bolster the economy. Terrón remarked that while anti-immigration sentiments may be popular, it becomes more complicated when individuals consider the personal impact, such as deporting the woman who cleans their home.
However, conservative and far-right parties have criticised the move. Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the Popular Party, accused Sánchez of diverting attention from a recent train crash that killed 46 people. Santiago Abascal of the far-right Vox claimed Sánchez was “accelerating an invasion,” echoing a racist conspiracy theory.
Despite criticism, Spain has historically welcomed millions of legal immigrants from South America and Africa.
This article used information from The Associated Press.
