Spain Has Announced It Will Grant Legal Status To Nearly Half A Million Undocumented Immigrants
"We are reinforcing a migratory model based on human rights, integration, co-existence and which is compatible with economic growth and social cohesion," Saiz said.
While the US and some parts of Europe try to crackdown on illegal immigration, the Spanish government has announced a plan that will allow nearly half a million undocumented immigrants to stay legally in the country.
On Tuesday, Jan. 27, Spain's minister of migration, Elma Saiz, said the government would change immigration laws to give undocumented immigrants living in Spain a one-year legal residency, which can be extended.
The change would allow undocumented immigrants to work in any sector, in any part of the country.
All undocumented immigrants who arrived in Spain before Dec. 31, 2025, have lived in the country for at least five months and have no criminal record are eligible to apply.
Saiz said the change could begin in April and that it could benefit “around half a million people”.
"We are reinforcing a migratory model based on human rights, integration, co-existence and which is compatible with economic growth and social cohesion," Saiz said.
Spain’s opposition far-right parties have criticized the move, saying the plan would encourage immigration and “overwhelm” Spain’s public services.
Meanwhile, Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez has credited immigrants for driving Spain’s economic growth, saying they are a vital part of the workforce, according to Euronews.
Hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants are estimated to live in Spain, with many coming from Latin American countries and a smaller share from African countries.
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