The sharp escalation of international debate over Spain’s migration policy has become an unexpected test for all of Europe. The decision by Pedro Sánchez’s government to legalize hundreds of thousands of migrants on a large scale has sparked not only internal disputes, but also drawn the attention of the United States. For Spaniards, this could mean potential changes to border-crossing rules, as well as new challenges for the country’s security system and labor market.
The American administration has submitted an official request to Brussels, seeking clarification regarding the Spanish initiative. In a letter addressed to the European Commission, concerns are raised that legalizing between 500,000 and 840,000 people could affect the entire Schengen Area. The issue now extends beyond national policy and is being discussed at the EU level and among international partners.
Reaction from the US and EU
Washington is concerned that mass issuance of residence and work permits could open new paths for migrants to move across Europe. American diplomats point out that if Spain issues these documents, their holders gain the right to travel freely within Schengen countries. This could create additional risks for security and border control at the EU’s external frontiers.
Concern is also growing in Brussels and several other European capitals. Representatives of the European Commission and individual member states emphasize that such decisions should be made in a coordinated manner, taking into account the interests of all union participants. Otherwise, there is a risk of undermining common standards and creating new loopholes for illegal entry.
Criticism and concerns
There is particular dissatisfaction over the fact that the Spanish decree weakens background checks on migrants. If the country of origin does not reply to a criminal record request within a month, a personal declaration from the applicant is considered sufficient. According to European experts, this approach could result in people with unverified backgrounds entering the EU, while information sharing with police and security services in other countries could remain inadequate.
The European Parliament has already witnessed heated debates over the Spanish initiative. Some lawmakers believe that such steps could trigger a new influx of illegal migrants and complicate the work of law enforcement authorities. In particular, they cite the lack of effective data exchange with Europol and transit countries.
Challenges for Spain
In practice, the effect of Madrid’s decision is already noticeable. Moroccan consulates in Spain have started working even on weekends to help their citizens take advantage of the legalization opportunity. This is raising concerns among European officials: if the number of applications keeps growing, Spain could face new waves of migration, and other countries may experience additional strain on their control systems.
With two-thirds of Europeans naming migration as one of the main problems, and half supporting closer cooperation within the EU, Madrid’s unilateral actions are seen as a challenge to unity. The question of whether mass legalization is justified and what its long-term consequences might be remains open.
Context and consequences
In recent years, migration has repeatedly sparked heated debate in Europe. In 2023, during Spain’s presidency of the EU Council, a new Pact on Migration and Asylum was agreed, but it does not set quotas for countries nor does it regulate mass legalizations. This leaves national governments with broad authority, but also fuels conflicts among member states.
Previously on RUSSPAIN.COM, the consequences of mass legalizations and their impact on Spain’s political landscape were discussed. One recent article examined in detail the changes in voting rights for new citizens and descendants of exiles, as well as disputes between parties over the country’s future. For more on how the new rules could affect elections and public life, see the related publication voting rights.
Recalling similar situations, it’s worth noting that in recent years several EU countries have faced criticism for attempts at mass migrant legalization. For example, Italy and Greece have implemented comparable measures at different times, sparking debates over security and integration. In each case, the outcomes were mixed: on the one hand, legalization helped reduce the number of undocumented migrants, while on the other, it created new challenges for social systems and law enforcement. In 2024–2025, similar initiatives were discussed in other Southern European countries, but none triggered as sharp an international response as Madrid’s current decision.
