Spain to Legalize 300,000 Undocumented Migrants Annually by 2027
By SUMAN NAISHADHAM, Associated Press
MADRID (AP) — In a landmark move, Spain’s migration minister announced Wednesday that the country will legalize approximately 300,000 undocumented migrants each year, starting next May and continuing through 2027. The initiative is aimed at bolstering Spain’s aging workforce and granting work permits and residency to foreigners currently living in the country without proper documentation.
With a pressing need for around 250,000 registered foreign workers annually to sustain its welfare system, Migration Minister Elma Saiz emphasized that the new policy aligns with not just cultural appreciation and human rights, but also economic prosperity. “Today, we can say Spain is a better country,” Saiz stated during an interview with national broadcaster Radiotelevisión Española.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, the government has pursued progressive immigration policies in response to the country’s declining birthrate. Efforts to tackle irregular migration have expanded, including Sánchez’s recent visits to West African nations aimed at addressing the flow of migrants seeking a better future through perilous journeys to Spain’s Canary Islands.
The approved legislation, supported by Spain’s leftist coalition government, simplifies visa processes and enhances protections for migrants, allowing for a one-year visa for job-seekers. This year alone, approximately 54,000 undocumented migrants have arrived in Spain via land and sea.
Many of these workers engage in essential yet low-wage roles in agriculture and services, often without legal protection, making them vulnerable to exploitation. Saiz asserted that the new policy will help combat abuses and criminal activities associated with undocumented migration.
Spain’s economy continues to thrive, recently issuing 1.3 million visas to foreigners as it rebounds from the pandemic, confirming immigration as a vital component of its growth strategy.
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