Spain is preparing a large-scale legalization of migrants that could disrupt the established order and impact many areas of life. According to Ale Espanol, the National Police estimates the number of foreigners who will receive legal status at 1,250,000. This figure is nearly three times higher than official government statements and has sparked concerns among security and social policy experts.
An internal police report prepared earlier this year outlines a number of serious consequences. Among them are increased strain on public services, the potential for heightened social tension, and new threats to public order. The document stresses that existing mechanisms for verifying documents and applicants’ backgrounds are not sufficient to prevent widespread fraud and forgery.
Risks and challenges
The police note that the announcement of the legalization has already spurred new waves of migrants. Information about quickly obtaining documents is being spread on social media and through illegal channels. This is fueling the emergence of a black market for fake certificates and documents needed to confirm residency in the country.
Experts also warn of the probability that migrants will relocate from other European Union countries to Spain to take advantage of the new rules. This trend could put further pressure on healthcare, schools, and social services, all of which are already stretched thin.
Social consequences
The rapid integration of a large number of new residents may cause discontent among the local population. The police report mentions the risk of conflicts and even the possible infiltration of individuals linked to criminal groups or extremist organizations. Special attention is drawn to the imperfection of the criminal record verification process: it is impossible to obtain complete information about applicantsβ backgrounds within a short time, especially if they previously lived in other countries.
The document also notes that migrant children will be able to receive residence permits for up to five years, while adults will be granted one-year permits only. This creates legal conflicts when minors retain their status even if their parents do not renew their permits.
Economic and administrative challenges
The police emphasize that mass legalization will lead to a sharp increase in the number of applications for documents. Cases of passport fraud and attempts to obtain temporary identity cards are already being recorded. Every case requires individual review and verification, placing enormous strain on migration service staff.
The report states that the government is underestimating the financial and staffing costs. It is expected that hundreds of thousands of applications for status renewal will have to be processed annually, which could paralyze the work of the relevant departments.
Legal loopholes
There is particular concern about the requirements for applicants. Simply being present in Spain is enough to apply for legalization. This allows migrants who temporarily left for other Schengen countries to return and claim they never left Spain. Such an approach creates wide opportunities for abuse and document forgery.
Police suggest using European databases to verify applicantsβ backgrounds, but so far such measures are not in place. As a result, experts warn that a new wave of illegal migrants could emerge in the coming year, hoping for yet another amnesty.
In recent years, Spain has already faced similar situations. Large-scale migrant legalizations took place in the early 2000s and 2010s, resulting in an increase in applications for social assistance and greater pressure on public services. At that time, there were also issues with document verification and challenges integrating new residents. Now, the situation is complicated by rapid changes in EU migration policy and the activity of criminal networks specializing in forged documents.
