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Spain announced on Tuesday a landmark decision to grant legal status to potentially hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants living and working in the country, marking a significant departure from the increasingly restrictive immigration policies adopted across much of Europe and the United States.
The measure, announced by Spanish Migration Minister Elma Saiz, will be implemented through an expedited decree amending immigration laws, bypassing a similar bill that had stalled in parliament. Eligible immigrants will receive up to one year of legal residency along with work authorization.
“Spain will not look the other way,” Saiz told journalists during a press conference in Barcelona. “We are dignifying and recognizing people who are already in our country.”
According to government estimates, the policy could benefit approximately 500,000 undocumented residents, though some organizations place the number closer to 800,000. Many are immigrants from Latin American and African countries who work in Spain’s agricultural, tourism, and service sectors—all critical components of the nation’s thriving economy.
To qualify, applicants must have arrived in Spain before December 31, 2025, prove they have been living in the country for at least five months, and demonstrate they have no criminal record. The application window is expected to open in April and run through the end of June.
The announcement came as part of a last-minute political deal between Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s ruling Socialist Party and the leftist Podemos party in exchange for parliamentary support for Sánchez’s coalition government.
Spain’s approach stands in stark contrast to the immigration enforcement trends seen elsewhere. While countries across Europe and the United States have increasingly tightened border controls and deportation policies, Spain has consistently emphasized the positive contributions of legal migration to its economy and aging workforce.
“At a time when a hostile environment against migrants is spreading on both sides of the Atlantic, this move shows both humanity and common sense,” said Laetitia Van der Vennet, senior advocacy officer at PICUM, a European network of migrant rights organizations.
The Spanish Episcopal Conference also praised the decision as an “act of social justice and recognition of so many migrants who, through their work, have long contributed to the development of Spain.”
For Spain, this isn’t unprecedented territory. The country has implemented six similar amnesty programs between 1986 and 2005. Anna Terrón Cusi, a senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute who previously worked on immigration policy for multiple Spanish governments, noted that past programs had “a strong impact on the workforce, not only legalizing the status of workers but creating formal jobs.”
The timing is also strategic, coming shortly before the implementation of the new European migration and asylum pact in June, which heavily emphasizes deportations. By regularizing the status of undocumented immigrants now, Spain is effectively “resetting the counter,” according to Terrón.
“In the end, telling people that immigration is bad may appeal to them, but deporting the woman who cleans their house is a different story,” she observed.
The announcement was celebrated by hundreds of migrant rights groups and Catholic associations that had campaigned for similar measures. Silvana Cabrera, a spokesperson for the migrant campaigning group RegularizaciónYa (RegularizationNow), which gathered 700,000 signatures supporting regularization, was emotional: “We are not used to these victories.” The movement emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic when many vulnerable immigrants worked essential jobs with minimal protections.
However, the policy has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties. Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the conservative Popular Party, accused Sánchez of using the announcement to distract from a recent deadly train crash. Meanwhile, Santiago Abascal, leader of the far-right Vox party, claimed Sánchez was “accelerating an invasion,” employing rhetoric common among right-wing extremists.
As the program moves toward implementation, Saiz promised that resources would be in place to process applications efficiently, addressing concerns raised by a police union about potential administrative bottlenecks.
Saiz concluded that Spain will continue to serve as a “beacon” against the rising tide of anti-immigration politics. “We will do everything in our power to stop it,” she affirmed. “I believe that today is a great day for our country.”
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8 Comments
This is a bold and potentially controversial move by Spain. I’m curious to see how it impacts the country’s economic and political landscape, as well as its relations with the EU. It’s a complex issue without easy answers.
While I applaud Spain for recognizing the humanity of these immigrants, I have some concerns about the potential for abuse or exploitation. Proper safeguards and oversight will be crucial to ensure these workers are treated fairly and not taken advantage of.
That’s a valid concern. Robust labor protections and worker advocacy will be essential to prevent exploitation as Spain implements this policy.
Interesting policy move by Spain. While it may help integrate undocumented workers, it could also raise labor costs and impact certain industries. I’m curious to see how this plays out and the reaction from the EU and other European countries.
You raise a fair point. The economic implications will be important to monitor, especially in sectors like agriculture that rely heavily on immigrant labor.
This seems like a pragmatic approach to a complex issue. Granting legal status to long-term undocumented residents could boost Spain’s economy and improve living conditions for many families. It will be interesting to see if other European nations follow suit.
Agreed, Spain is taking a more compassionate and proactive stance compared to the hardline immigration policies we’ve seen in parts of Europe and the US. It will be worth watching how this unfolds.
Spain’s decision to grant legal status to undocumented immigrants is an interesting development. While it may help integrate these workers, it could also create labor shortages in certain industries if not managed carefully. Overall, it’s a nuanced policy with both potential benefits and risks.