The biggest news of the year comes out for the 400,000 undocumented migrants in Spain where the parliament (Congreso de los diputados) has decided to consider regularising them through residence permits. The parliament decided it on 9 April in a session where a resolution was presented. The so-called “Popular Legislative Initiative (ILP)” has been a successful movement. Members of parliament passed it with a 310-33 ratio which is undoubtedly an overwhelming number.
The rule proposes that “the Government, by Royal Decree, will establish, within 6 months, a procedure for the regularization of foreigners who are in Spanish territory before November 1, 2021.” “The proposal has received support above all from two sectors: the Spanish Catholic Church and self-organized migrant movements. From the Spanish Episcopal Conference to the Getafe Soviet, you can imagine everything there is,” explains Jorge Serrano, general coordinator of the For A Fairer World party, one of the first promoters of the initiative.
The Popular Legislative Initiative (ILP), supported by 612,275 signatures, to regularize “between 390,000 and 470,000” people who live irregularly in Spain.
Courtesy: Por Causa Foundation
The number of immigrants who are estimated to benefit from this extraordinary regularization of foreigners, between 390,000 and 470,000, is based on a study by the Por Causa Foundation, one of the more than 900 associations that participated in the collection of firms. The range represents between 11% and 13% of the total number of non-EU immigrants and around 0.8% of the total population residing in Spain.
About 400,000 migrants may benefit from this resolution
The explanatory memorandum of the initiative estimates that “between 390,000 and 470,000 foreigners, of which a third would be minors” are currently “residing irregularly in Spain.” According to the promoters, the proposal is supported by 612,275 signatures validated by Congress and has been supported by more than 900 social organizations.
What happens next?
The law would continue its parliamentary process in a commission where parliamentary groups can present amendments. It would then be taken to the plenary session for voting and, if they wish, for the parties to formulate new amendments to the legislative text on the regularization of immigrants.
Important to consider the mass regularization
The PSOE maintains the point of view that the EU does not allow the mass regularization of migrants. Since Spain is a Schengen country, it has to take into account the overall measures also in general supported by other member states. The popular initiative has the support of ERC, Bildu, BNG, PNV, and Sumar and the rejection of PP and Vox.
According to Swiss.Info, in 2005, the government of Spain regularized around 580,000 migrants in what it termed an “exceptional” process. This initiative, however, faced extensive criticism throughout Europe.
Background of Popular Legislative Initiative (ILP)
The ILP for the extraordinary regularization of immigrants was registered in the last legislature in Congress, specifically on February 24, 2023, but the parliamentary process was paralyzed by the call for general elections. The Popular Legislative Initiative has been resumed in this legislature since the ILPs are the only initiatives that do not decline when the Cortes are dissolved.
Expert Opinion
Immigration Expert “Umer Rasib” from http://visa-guru.com, considers this step of the Spanish parliament as an outstanding one. He said,
“Taking into account undocumented migrants in Spain is a big decision of the parliament. This will indeed help also the labor market to get fresh and exciting workers. Normally these undocumented workers are used to working in harsh conditions and are underpaid as they are left with no other option. They have to pay for accommodation and food, transportation and many of them have families for whom they have traveled to Europe to help them financially. These all circumstances make them work hard even in vulnerable conditions. Provided the opportunity with a legal residence permit in the country, they can help a lot in the labor market and can enjoy the same rights as other legal workers with legal payroll. This will also broaden the tax net in the country and there will also be other financial benefits. The parliament now should consider completing the process of this resolution as soon as possible. The conversion of this into legislation is important since it is the need of the hour”.