Spain plans to ‘regularize’ 900,000 undocumented migrants
Spain is set to implement new reforms that will enable the regularization of 300,000 illegal migrants annually, as stated by Migration Minister Elma Saiz. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Migration Minister Elma Saiz stated that Spain does not aspire to be a “closed and poor” nation.
On Tuesday, Madrid unveiled new migration regulations that will facilitate the legalization of approximately 300,000 undocumented migrants annually over the next three years. These reforms are intended to enlarge the country's workforce and stimulate economic growth, as highlighted by Saiz, who represents the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party.
“Spain has to choose between being an open and prosperous country or being a closed and poor country and we have chosen the former,” Saiz declared while detailing the changes. She emphasized the necessity for “around 250,000 to 300,000 foreign workers per year to sustain its welfare state.”
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, a member of the Socialist party, has advocated for policies promoting “circular migration” to establish legal pathways for economic migrants, which he deems crucial as the nation confronts challenges posed by an aging population on public finances.
The new reforms aim to streamline visa requirements and paperwork, as well as extend their duration in specific scenarios. The duration that an undocumented migrant must stay in Spain before being eligible for a visa will decrease from three years to two.
“We want to make it easier for foreigners to get a job matching their professional profile and that companies find the professionals they need,” Saiz conveyed to journalists.
Saiz noted that these reforms could lead to an annual regularization rate of up to 300,000 individuals within the next three years. By the end of 2023, she indicated that 210,000 people had already received authorization to reside in Spain through residency routes. She also pointed out that nearly 3 million foreigners contribute close to 14% to Spain’s welfare system. Other modifications will allow for increased flexibility in student visas, enabling holders to work up to 30 hours per week.
Official statistics revealed that around 25,000 migrants entered Spain illegally in the first six months of this year, doubling the number from the same timeframe in the previous year. Of this group, over 19,000 made the perilous journey by sea from northwestern Africa to the Canary Islands. In light of this situation, Lanzarote’s government declared a state of social emergency, citing its inability to manage the influx. Consequently, Spain’s leading opposition group, the right-wing Partido Popular, called on the government to utilize the navy to prevent additional migrants from arriving.
An October poll conducted for El Pais and Cadena Ser revealed that 57% of Spaniards perceive there to be “too much” immigration, with 75% expressing negative sentiments towards migrants.
Spain's recent immigration policies stand in stark contrast to broader trends in Europe, where numerous governments are tightening restrictions on migrants and enhancing border controls. In recent months, Germany and the Netherlands have augmented checks at their land borders, France has pledged to “restore order” at its entry points, and both Sweden and Finland have committed to implementing stricter immigration regulations.
Debra A Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
On Tuesday, Madrid unveiled new migration regulations that will facilitate the legalization of approximately 300,000 undocumented migrants annually over the next three years. These reforms are intended to enlarge the country's workforce and stimulate economic growth, as highlighted by Saiz, who represents the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party.
“Spain has to choose between being an open and prosperous country or being a closed and poor country and we have chosen the former,” Saiz declared while detailing the changes. She emphasized the necessity for “around 250,000 to 300,000 foreign workers per year to sustain its welfare state.”
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, a member of the Socialist party, has advocated for policies promoting “circular migration” to establish legal pathways for economic migrants, which he deems crucial as the nation confronts challenges posed by an aging population on public finances.
The new reforms aim to streamline visa requirements and paperwork, as well as extend their duration in specific scenarios. The duration that an undocumented migrant must stay in Spain before being eligible for a visa will decrease from three years to two.
“We want to make it easier for foreigners to get a job matching their professional profile and that companies find the professionals they need,” Saiz conveyed to journalists.
Saiz noted that these reforms could lead to an annual regularization rate of up to 300,000 individuals within the next three years. By the end of 2023, she indicated that 210,000 people had already received authorization to reside in Spain through residency routes. She also pointed out that nearly 3 million foreigners contribute close to 14% to Spain’s welfare system. Other modifications will allow for increased flexibility in student visas, enabling holders to work up to 30 hours per week.
Official statistics revealed that around 25,000 migrants entered Spain illegally in the first six months of this year, doubling the number from the same timeframe in the previous year. Of this group, over 19,000 made the perilous journey by sea from northwestern Africa to the Canary Islands. In light of this situation, Lanzarote’s government declared a state of social emergency, citing its inability to manage the influx. Consequently, Spain’s leading opposition group, the right-wing Partido Popular, called on the government to utilize the navy to prevent additional migrants from arriving.
An October poll conducted for El Pais and Cadena Ser revealed that 57% of Spaniards perceive there to be “too much” immigration, with 75% expressing negative sentiments towards migrants.
Spain's recent immigration policies stand in stark contrast to broader trends in Europe, where numerous governments are tightening restrictions on migrants and enhancing border controls. In recent months, Germany and the Netherlands have augmented checks at their land borders, France has pledged to “restore order” at its entry points, and both Sweden and Finland have committed to implementing stricter immigration regulations.
Debra A Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
