Spain moves to grant legal status to half a million unauthorized immigrants
politico.eu • • world
Key Points:
- Spain’s Council of Ministers approved a royal decree granting legal status to over 500,000 unauthorized immigrants residing in the country, aiming to integrate them into society and the workforce.
- Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasized the moral and pragmatic necessity of the move, citing Spain’s aging population and the immigrants' contributions to sectors like agriculture and elder care.
- To qualify, immigrants must prove residence in Spain for at least five months before January 1, 2026, provide employment or family ties, and have no criminal record; applications are open until June 30.
- The decree has received support from the Catholic Church but faces opposition from the center-right People’s Party and far-right Vox, both planning legal challenges against the measure.
- The People’s Party criticizes the decree for potentially exporting migration issues to the EU and breaking European consensus, while Vox vows to hold Sánchez accountable for the legalization.
