The Spanish Government will approve this Tuesday an extraordinary regularization process that will allow to legalize the situation of 25,000 immigrants affected by the Dana that hit Valencia on October 28, 2023, as El País has advanced and government sources have confirmed to Europa Press. This is the first regularization of this type in 20 years and the seventh to be carried out in the country.
The first regularization in two decades
So far, Spain has carried out six extraordinary regularization processes, which have allowed thousands of immigrants to access residence and work permits. According to Legalteam data, these processes have taken place in the following years:
- 1991-1992 (Socialist Government): Regularization of 108,321 persons.
- 1996 (PP Government): Documents were granted to 21,294 immigrants out of the 25,128 who requested them.
- 2000 (PP Government): 244,327 foreigners applied for regularization and 163,352 obtained papers.
- 2001 (PP Government): 239,174 immigrants obtained documentation through a process called “regularization due to “arraigo”.
- 2005 (Government of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, PSOE): More than 500,000 immigrants were regularized in the last major operation of this type.
The current context: migration crisis and new policies
This new regularization responds to an exceptional humanitarian situation, since the 25,000 migrants benefited were directly affected by the dana that hit Valencia in October 2023, one of the most serious climatic catastrophes of the year, which left more than 200 dead and thousands of victims. The measure seeks to guarantee their access to basic rights, employment and legal stability in Spain.
In addition, the government is pushing for a reform of migration policy at a time when migratory pressure continues to increase, especially in communities such as the Canary Islands, Andalusia, the Balearic Islands and the Valencian Community.
At the same time, Congress is processing a Popular Legislative Initiative (ILP) that proposes to regularize half a million people in an irregular situation.
Congress moves forward with the regularization of 500,000 individuals
The ILP, which has 700,000 signatures of support, was qualified by the Bureau of Congress on December 14, 2021 and began its parliamentary procedure in April 2024, when it was supported by 90% of the Chamber, including PSOE and PP. Last June 13, it passed a debate of totality, in which an alternative text presented by Vox was rejected.
Currently, the parliamentary groups have requested the appearance of experts to evaluate the feasibility of the proposal and its impact on the labor market, Social Security and the integration of immigrants in Spain.
A new twist in Spain’s migration policy
The announcement of this extraordinary regularization marks a turning point in Spanish migration policy, which in recent years had focused on tightening border controls and managing the arrival of migrants through agreements with countries of origin such as Morocco and Senegal.
Human rights organizations and trade unions have welcomed the decision, noting that it will facilitate access to formal jobs, healthcare and education for thousands of people already living and working in Spain.
However, critical sectors, such as Vox and other right-wing parties, have warned about the impact that this type of measures may have on the labor market and the social benefits system.
