**Spain approves plan to give around 500,000 undocumented migrants legal status**
*Spain’s government has approved plans to give legal status to 500,000 undocumented migrants, allowing them to be integrated formally into the workforce.*
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described his government’s decision as both “an act of justice” and a necessity for Spain.
In a letter to Spaniards posted on social media, Sánchez, a socialist, said the mass legalisation sought “to acknowledge the reality of nearly half a million people who already form part of our everyday lives”.
Spain’s conservative opposition People’s Party (PP) has pledged to attempt to block the legalisation, which it said rewards illegal migrants and would encourage more to come.
The government’s plan will offer a one-year, renewable residence permit to undocumented migrants. In order to be eligible, applicants must prove that they have already spent five months living in Spain and have a clean criminal record. They have between 16 April and the end of June to apply.
Sánchez said migrants helped “build the rich, open and diverse Spain that we are and to which we aspire”.
The prime minister said these migrants are needed to sustain the economy and public services in a country whose population is ageing. He also said it was the right course of action for a nation which in the past had seen many of its own nationals emigrate in search of better opportunities.
The Funcas think-tank estimates that there are around 840,000 undocumented migrants in Spain, the vast majority of whom are Latin American.
“This is going to benefit a lot of people, give them access to work and to a better quality of life,” said Ricardo, a Bolivian graphic designer who has been unable to maintain stable employment and plans to apply for the scheme. “And it means more money for the Spanish state and more workers will be legally available for employers.”
The opposition has said that the government’s estimates are wrong and that about one million migrants could apply for the scheme, with PP describing the plan as an “outrage”.
The Catholic Church, by contrast, has supported the government’s legislation.
The scheme comes as many of Spain’s European neighbours tighten controls on immigration.
Both Socialist and PP governments have implemented migrant amnesties in the past. The most recent one was in 2005, when 577,000 people received residency under a Socialist administration.
Valahul77 on
This is the same mistake Germany did over a decade ago. Not only opening the doors to uncontrolled immigration did not solve any economic problem but it also added a lot more strains on the social safety nets. As a rule of thumb, you never take this kind of measures when the unemployment is on the rise. Otherwise you risk seeing the far right getting a record number pf votes on next elections.
Zwezeriklover on
Will this status also allow these legalized migrants to use Schengen rules to go to other countries than Spain?
This is a good thing. Bringing people out of the shadow economy into the real economy means more tax revenue and also should reduce crime and poverty.
All illegals will be given 1 year permits and if they can’t work or get a renewed visa then deportations can occur.
To get the new legal status you must have already been in Spain for at least 5 months, with proof of living in Spain for those 5 months.
Spain government revenue should keep climbing steadily with less unemployment.
Any_Researcher9513 on
I dont understand why countries dont think about the message this sends to the world.
Illegally enter our country, we’ll reward you with citizenship. Meanwhile if you’re a legal migrant with skills we actually need, you can go through long protracted and often expensive application processes.
Moe112 on
Awesome idea for whole europe … not
nlaw_ on
But if you want to do the legal route it’s either impossible, expensive, or takes years and years?mm
comments83820 on
As a one-off, I guess this is okay, but Spain already has a generous immigration policy for Latin Americans and Filipinos (who are culturally proximate, speak Spanish, and share Europe’s social norms). Obviously, they don’t have the right to move to other EU countries as Spanish residents, but many will irregularly head to other Schengen countries. Echoes of the Merkel mistake.
minobi on
Sad.
Actual-Audience-3799 on
Lots of “bad idea” comments here. It could be but can someone from Spain give clarity? My understanding is that immigration into Spain is dominated by LATAM countries and hence they are culturally compatible unlike the migrants in the northern EU countries?
Jehuty321 on
Now they can flood Germany’s welfare state
mods4mods on
My main problem with these decrees (and the ones before since this has already happened many times), is that we actually have legal ways to obtain legal status, which legal immigrants have to make a big effort to get and it’s a real headache.
If you believe that the legal framework is too harsh, change that, and if it’s not, then honour it. This just seems inconsistent and law should be consistent.
verynicehighfive55 on
Mistake. It’s proven that they cost more than bring in. Silly. Is there no better solution? Far right is happy
Fry-NOR on
Are we talking about migrants from Latin America or Africa and the Middle East?.
araujoms on
It’s nice to see Spain doing the obvious move in its own benefit while the rest of the continent is shooting themselves in the feet out of anti-immigration hysteria.
jalanajak on
You don’t need young migrants to sustain ageing population. You need individualized retirement plans. Ask Singapore.
Anaphylactic_Thot on
To all the people seething in the comments who haven’t read the article, here’s an excerpt about who can, and how someone can apply for this:
“””
The government’s plan will offer a one-year, renewable residence permit to undocumented migrants. In order to be eligible, applicants must prove that they have already spent five months living in Spain and have a clean criminal record. They have between 16 April and the end of June to apply.
“””
Spain has a massive issue with unregistered immigrants being exploited by employers to avoid paying taxes, and to undercut the minimum wage laws. This is mainly in the care industry. A change like this will allow us to reward those who have been contributing to our system, punish those who have been exploiting immigrants, and get a better insight into criminal migrants who have entered the country along with economic migrants.Â
The tax benefit of this alone will be considerable, and with an aging population, it’s a no brainer to encourage healthy immigration from Spanish speaking countries who often have cultures heavily based on Spanish culture already.
Â
rough0perator on
Good luck Spain
YaLlegaHiperhumor on
Perhaps the one humane measure by any European government in the last 10 years. Bravo! Sánchez is truly positioning himself and Spain as some of the leaders of the free, progressive world in the years to come
SnooBooks3514 on
There shouldn’t be any exceptions: if someone has no papers visa, or rights to stay in a country => out.
It’s as simple as that. Everyone is doing it like this there shouldn’t be any exceptions: either everyone or no one.
-NoMessage- on
Why is Spain so dumb.
The worst part, is that this screws over entire Europe.
Unnamed-3891 on
They REALLY want to give far-right extremists all possible ammo to ensure election victories?
redvodkandpinkgin on
This sub used to be a progressive pro-european bastion.
Every day it’s getting worse and worse. Every single comment is either outwardly far right, or at least drinks from the alt-right rhethoric.
I’m positive two thirds of the comments here aren’t even posted by Europeans. Hell, people keep bringing up American politics.
Aquaman_fish on
But it’s the Brit’s fault there’s no apartments 😂
ITV55024 on
Where I can apply for legal status ?🤣
LoInfoVoter on
The theory is Spain needs more taxpayers to fund healthcare and pension benefits for retirees. It’s shortsighted.Â
The number one crisis in Spain right now is the high young adult unemployment rate. I have seen it reported as being anywhere from 26-33%!!! Hopeless young people don’t reproduce, they take drugs, commit crimes, or if they are talented, move away. It also tears apart the traditional family that provides stability for young families.Â
Darthy85 on
Hehe, Barcelona didnt want too many tourists, hehe, they gonna find out now brothers
SoftwareSelect5256 on
Spain is lost
SkibidiDopYes on
Spain… this is not good cooking my g
jormvngandr on
Bruh…
Kurainuz on
Again this news without context or proper wording just to cause discord as people do not known what a Irregular migrant is in spain or do know but want to sell the idea that we are taking hundreds of thousands of new illegals.
If you come to spain without any document you ARE NOT AN IRREGULAR YOU ARE A ILEGAL.
Irregular migrants are in most cases migrants that have been living in spain legally and their papers for regular residence have not been renewed or given yet
The most common case is because the renovation of papers were not done on time and they “expired”, when that happens you can solicit to continue being in spain for some time as an irregular wich is a LEGAL way to stay
Working, studying, taking care of someone ill, being a witness for police, or being a refugee are the main irregular examples.
What goberment is doing is turning those irregulars into regular migrants again in an extra ordinary push so it doesnt become a bigger paperwork problem.
waytoosecret on
Jfc that’ll end bad.
Remmidemmi on
This sub is so scared of migration its hilarious
Wolfo93 on
Dreadful decision, did we learn nothing from 2015?
36 commenti
**Spain approves plan to give around 500,000 undocumented migrants legal status**
*Spain’s government has approved plans to give legal status to 500,000 undocumented migrants, allowing them to be integrated formally into the workforce.*
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described his government’s decision as both “an act of justice” and a necessity for Spain.
In a letter to Spaniards posted on social media, Sánchez, a socialist, said the mass legalisation sought “to acknowledge the reality of nearly half a million people who already form part of our everyday lives”.
Spain’s conservative opposition People’s Party (PP) has pledged to attempt to block the legalisation, which it said rewards illegal migrants and would encourage more to come.
The government’s plan will offer a one-year, renewable residence permit to undocumented migrants. In order to be eligible, applicants must prove that they have already spent five months living in Spain and have a clean criminal record. They have between 16 April and the end of June to apply.
Sánchez said migrants helped “build the rich, open and diverse Spain that we are and to which we aspire”.
The prime minister said these migrants are needed to sustain the economy and public services in a country whose population is ageing. He also said it was the right course of action for a nation which in the past had seen many of its own nationals emigrate in search of better opportunities.
The Funcas think-tank estimates that there are around 840,000 undocumented migrants in Spain, the vast majority of whom are Latin American.
“This is going to benefit a lot of people, give them access to work and to a better quality of life,” said Ricardo, a Bolivian graphic designer who has been unable to maintain stable employment and plans to apply for the scheme. “And it means more money for the Spanish state and more workers will be legally available for employers.”
The opposition has said that the government’s estimates are wrong and that about one million migrants could apply for the scheme, with PP describing the plan as an “outrage”.
The Catholic Church, by contrast, has supported the government’s legislation.
The scheme comes as many of Spain’s European neighbours tighten controls on immigration.
Both Socialist and PP governments have implemented migrant amnesties in the past. The most recent one was in 2005, when 577,000 people received residency under a Socialist administration.
This is the same mistake Germany did over a decade ago. Not only opening the doors to uncontrolled immigration did not solve any economic problem but it also added a lot more strains on the social safety nets. As a rule of thumb, you never take this kind of measures when the unemployment is on the rise. Otherwise you risk seeing the far right getting a record number pf votes on next elections.
Will this status also allow these legalized migrants to use Schengen rules to go to other countries than Spain?
This’ll definitely bring housing prices down—no surprise VOX is riding high.
Bad idea.
This is a good thing. Bringing people out of the shadow economy into the real economy means more tax revenue and also should reduce crime and poverty.
All illegals will be given 1 year permits and if they can’t work or get a renewed visa then deportations can occur.
To get the new legal status you must have already been in Spain for at least 5 months, with proof of living in Spain for those 5 months.
Spain government revenue should keep climbing steadily with less unemployment.
I dont understand why countries dont think about the message this sends to the world.
Illegally enter our country, we’ll reward you with citizenship. Meanwhile if you’re a legal migrant with skills we actually need, you can go through long protracted and often expensive application processes.
Awesome idea for whole europe … not
But if you want to do the legal route it’s either impossible, expensive, or takes years and years?mm
As a one-off, I guess this is okay, but Spain already has a generous immigration policy for Latin Americans and Filipinos (who are culturally proximate, speak Spanish, and share Europe’s social norms). Obviously, they don’t have the right to move to other EU countries as Spanish residents, but many will irregularly head to other Schengen countries. Echoes of the Merkel mistake.
Sad.
Lots of “bad idea” comments here. It could be but can someone from Spain give clarity? My understanding is that immigration into Spain is dominated by LATAM countries and hence they are culturally compatible unlike the migrants in the northern EU countries?
Now they can flood Germany’s welfare state
My main problem with these decrees (and the ones before since this has already happened many times), is that we actually have legal ways to obtain legal status, which legal immigrants have to make a big effort to get and it’s a real headache.
If you believe that the legal framework is too harsh, change that, and if it’s not, then honour it. This just seems inconsistent and law should be consistent.
Mistake. It’s proven that they cost more than bring in. Silly. Is there no better solution? Far right is happy
Are we talking about migrants from Latin America or Africa and the Middle East?.
It’s nice to see Spain doing the obvious move in its own benefit while the rest of the continent is shooting themselves in the feet out of anti-immigration hysteria.
You don’t need young migrants to sustain ageing population. You need individualized retirement plans. Ask Singapore.
To all the people seething in the comments who haven’t read the article, here’s an excerpt about who can, and how someone can apply for this:
“””
The government’s plan will offer a one-year, renewable residence permit to undocumented migrants. In order to be eligible, applicants must prove that they have already spent five months living in Spain and have a clean criminal record. They have between 16 April and the end of June to apply.
“””
Spain has a massive issue with unregistered immigrants being exploited by employers to avoid paying taxes, and to undercut the minimum wage laws. This is mainly in the care industry. A change like this will allow us to reward those who have been contributing to our system, punish those who have been exploiting immigrants, and get a better insight into criminal migrants who have entered the country along with economic migrants.Â
The tax benefit of this alone will be considerable, and with an aging population, it’s a no brainer to encourage healthy immigration from Spanish speaking countries who often have cultures heavily based on Spanish culture already.
Â
Good luck Spain
Perhaps the one humane measure by any European government in the last 10 years. Bravo! Sánchez is truly positioning himself and Spain as some of the leaders of the free, progressive world in the years to come
There shouldn’t be any exceptions: if someone has no papers visa, or rights to stay in a country => out.
It’s as simple as that. Everyone is doing it like this there shouldn’t be any exceptions: either everyone or no one.
Why is Spain so dumb.
The worst part, is that this screws over entire Europe.
They REALLY want to give far-right extremists all possible ammo to ensure election victories?
This sub used to be a progressive pro-european bastion.
Every day it’s getting worse and worse. Every single comment is either outwardly far right, or at least drinks from the alt-right rhethoric.
I’m positive two thirds of the comments here aren’t even posted by Europeans. Hell, people keep bringing up American politics.
But it’s the Brit’s fault there’s no apartments 😂
Where I can apply for legal status ?🤣
The theory is Spain needs more taxpayers to fund healthcare and pension benefits for retirees. It’s shortsighted.Â
The number one crisis in Spain right now is the high young adult unemployment rate. I have seen it reported as being anywhere from 26-33%!!! Hopeless young people don’t reproduce, they take drugs, commit crimes, or if they are talented, move away. It also tears apart the traditional family that provides stability for young families.Â
Hehe, Barcelona didnt want too many tourists, hehe, they gonna find out now brothers
Spain is lost
Spain… this is not good cooking my g
Bruh…
Again this news without context or proper wording just to cause discord as people do not known what a Irregular migrant is in spain or do know but want to sell the idea that we are taking hundreds of thousands of new illegals.
If you come to spain without any document you ARE NOT AN IRREGULAR YOU ARE A ILEGAL.
Irregular migrants are in most cases migrants that have been living in spain legally and their papers for regular residence have not been renewed or given yet
The most common case is because the renovation of papers were not done on time and they “expired”, when that happens you can solicit to continue being in spain for some time as an irregular wich is a LEGAL way to stay
Working, studying, taking care of someone ill, being a witness for police, or being a refugee are the main irregular examples.
What goberment is doing is turning those irregulars into regular migrants again in an extra ordinary push so it doesnt become a bigger paperwork problem.
Jfc that’ll end bad.
This sub is so scared of migration its hilarious
Dreadful decision, did we learn nothing from 2015?