Spain Unlocks Path to Legitimacy for 500,000 Undocumented Migrants
In a stark contrast to other European countries, Spain is poised to grant legitimacy to around 500,000 undocumented migrants living in the country. The move, which has been hailed as a beacon of hope by migrant communities, aims to regularize the status of individuals who have been forced into the "black economy" and are struggling to access basic rights.
According to Joel Caceda, a 30-year-old Peruvian migrant who lost his arm in a farming accident, the news is a game-changer for him and thousands like him. For six years, he has been working without official papers, fighting bureaucracy to win legal status. With regularization, Caceda hopes to secure a better life for himself and his partner and their daughter, including access to social services and affordable housing.
The Spanish government's decision is part of a broader shift in policy, with Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez emphasizing the need for migration to fill labor gaps and counteract an aging population. "We are talking about estimations that may be around half a million people," said Migration Minister Elma Saiz, highlighting the positive impact of migration on society.
The measure is expected to bring significant benefits not only to migrants but also to the entire society. Ousman Umar, a Ghanaian migrant who spent five years trying to reach Europe, notes that regularization will enable these individuals to contribute to the pension system and pay taxes, thereby alleviating pressure on social services.
Critics, however, have voiced concerns about the potential strain on healthcare systems, security, and social welfare. The leader of far-right Vox party, Santiago Abascal, has warned of an "invasion" that will put a significant burden on these resources.
Despite these concerns, many migrant advocates see Spain's move as a model for other European countries struggling to find common ground with their undocumented populations. As Laetitia Van der Vennet, from the Platform for Undocumented Immigrants NGO, noted, "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."
In a stark contrast to other European countries, Spain is poised to grant legitimacy to around 500,000 undocumented migrants living in the country. The move, which has been hailed as a beacon of hope by migrant communities, aims to regularize the status of individuals who have been forced into the "black economy" and are struggling to access basic rights.
According to Joel Caceda, a 30-year-old Peruvian migrant who lost his arm in a farming accident, the news is a game-changer for him and thousands like him. For six years, he has been working without official papers, fighting bureaucracy to win legal status. With regularization, Caceda hopes to secure a better life for himself and his partner and their daughter, including access to social services and affordable housing.
The Spanish government's decision is part of a broader shift in policy, with Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez emphasizing the need for migration to fill labor gaps and counteract an aging population. "We are talking about estimations that may be around half a million people," said Migration Minister Elma Saiz, highlighting the positive impact of migration on society.
The measure is expected to bring significant benefits not only to migrants but also to the entire society. Ousman Umar, a Ghanaian migrant who spent five years trying to reach Europe, notes that regularization will enable these individuals to contribute to the pension system and pay taxes, thereby alleviating pressure on social services.
Critics, however, have voiced concerns about the potential strain on healthcare systems, security, and social welfare. The leader of far-right Vox party, Santiago Abascal, has warned of an "invasion" that will put a significant burden on these resources.
Despite these concerns, many migrant advocates see Spain's move as a model for other European countries struggling to find common ground with their undocumented populations. As Laetitia Van der Vennet, from the Platform for Undocumented Immigrants NGO, noted, "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."