Spain Grants Legal Status to Over 800,000 Undocumented Migrants

Spain has introduced a new policy enabling more than 800,000 undocumented migrants to apply for permanent residency, provided they have a clean criminal record and have resided in the country for at least five months. This change is being enacted through a royal decree, bypassing the need for approval from the Spanish Congress, where the minority Socialist-led government currently does not hold a majority.

The reform has generated significant debate within Spain's political landscape. Opposition parties, particularly those from liberal and conservative factions, have criticized the use of a royal decree to implement such a substantial migration policy, arguing that it circumvents the standard legislative process and excludes broader democratic participation.

Migrant advocacy groups and policy experts estimate that the new criteria will make over 800,000 individuals eligible for legal status. The majority of those expected to benefit from the reform are Latin American nationals, notably from Colombia. Latin American migration has generally been less contentious in Spanish society compared to migration from African countries such as Morocco and Senegal.

Historically, Spain has undertaken similar large-scale regularizations of undocumented migrants. In the early 2000s, previous administrations, both conservative and socialist, enacted measures that provided legal status to hundreds of thousands of migrants. The current initiative follows this precedent but is distinctive in its rapid implementation via executive order.

Many of the undocumented migrants in Spain are believed to be working in informal sectors, particularly agriculture in the southern regions. Without legal documentation, these workers typically receive lower wages and lack access to social security benefits and health insurance. Since 2018, however, all migrants in Spain have been entitled to healthcare services, regardless of their legal status.

The regularization reform is likely to face legal challenges and may be subject to review by Spain's Constitutional Court. While the court has historically ruled in favor of the Socialist Party in similar cases, the outcome of any appeal remains uncertain.

The political context surrounding the reform is also complex. It has caused friction between Spain's left-wing parties, with some supporting the minority government from outside the coalition and others participating directly in governance. The measure is seen as a significant step in addressing the status of long-term residents lacking legal recognition, but it also intensifies ongoing debates about immigration policy and the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches in Spain.

This latest move marks another chapter in Spain's ongoing effort to address migration challenges and integrate undocumented residents into society, reflecting both humanitarian considerations and economic realities.