Khabarmala Correspondent
The Spanish government has approved a plan to grant legal status to 500,000 undocumented migrants living in the country. This will allow them to formally enter the labor market. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the decision as both “an act of justice” and a necessary step for Spain. It is estimated that more than 5,000 to 7,000 Nepalis will also benefit from this announcement.
In a letter addressed to the Spanish public via social media, Socialist leader Sánchez said the mass regularization aims to “acknowledge the reality of nearly half a million people who are already part of our daily lives.” Spain’s opposition conservative party, the People’s Party, has said it will attempt to block the move, arguing that it could encourage illegal immigration and attract more migrants.
Under the government’s plan, undocumented migrants will be granted a renewable one-year residence permit. To qualify, applicants must prove they have lived in Spain for at least five months and must have a clean criminal record. The application period will run from April 16 to the end of June. Sánchez added that migrants “have contributed to building the prosperous, open, and diverse Spain we have created and aspire to build.”
The prime minister emphasized that migrants are essential for sustaining the economy and public services in a country with an aging population. He also noted that, as a nation whose own citizens have historically emigrated in search of better opportunities, this is the right step.
The research institute Funcas estimates that around 840,000 undocumented migrants are living in Spain, most of them from Latin America.
“This will benefit many people, give access to work, and improve living standards,” said Ricardo, a Bolivian graphic designer who has struggled to find stable employment and plans to apply under the scheme. “It will also generate more revenue for the Spanish state and increase the number of legally available workers for employers.”
However, the opposition claims the government’s estimates are inaccurate and says up to one million migrants could apply. The far-right Vox party has called the plan “unacceptable.”
In contrast, the Catholic Church has supported the government’s move. The plan comes at a time when many of Spain’s European neighbors are tightening immigration controls. Spain has previously implemented similar regularization programs under both Socialist and other governments. The most recent was in 2005, when about 577,000 people obtained residence permits under a Socialist administration.
