In Spain, the debate over the status of foreigners who have lived and worked in the country for many years has resurfaced. The political group Sumar insists that the government should not delay its decision and must implement emergency legalization for more than half a million people within the coming weeks.
The fate of these individuals has been left in limbo since the spring of 2024, when Congress agreed to consider a citizens’ legislative initiative supported by hundreds of organizations. However, the process stalled due to disagreements between parties, and there has been no substantive progress. Sumar is now urging the PSOE government not to wait for parliamentary consensus but to use the option of issuing a special decree.
Within the government, active discussions are underway on how to implement this measure in order to bypass bureaucratic hurdles. Sumar emphasizes that the issue is not about technicalities, but about political will. Representatives of the movement believe that delays only worsen the situation, and that the response to xenophobic sentiment should be clear and swift.
Meanwhile, the opposition, led by Partido Popular (PP) and Vox, is hardening its rhetoric on migration issues. A recent event in Murcia, where PP leaders unveiled their strategy, sparked a sharp reaction from Sumar, who called it a “racist summit.” In response, Sumar is demanding that over 500,000 foreigners be granted full rights by the end of October, without waiting for further political disputes.
Previously, in 2005, Spain already carried out a large-scale legalization of migrants, made possible after changes to the law on the status of foreigners. At that time, the decision was supported by almost all political forces and social organizations. Now, however, reaching a consensus has proven difficult, and Sumar insists that the government take decisive action without being hindered by parliamentary obstacles.
The issue of legalization affects not only the fate of hundreds of thousands of people, but also the political climate in the country. In the coming weeks, it will become clear whether the PSOE government will opt for emergency measures or continue seeking a compromise with the opposition.
