The sharp escalation of the international debate over Spain’s migration policy has become an unexpected challenge for all of Europe. The decision by Pedro Sánchez’s government to implement a large-scale legalization of hundreds of thousands of migrants has sparked not only domestic controversy, but also drawn the attention of the United States. For Spaniards, this could mean possible changes in border crossing rules, as well as new challenges for the country’s security system and job market.
The US administration has sent an official request to Brussels, demanding clarification regarding the Spanish initiative. In a letter addressed to the European Commission, Washington expressed concern that the legalization of between 500,000 and 840,000 people could affect the entire Schengen area. The issue now goes beyond national policy, becoming a matter of discussion at the level of the EU and international partners.
US and EU Response
Washington fears that granting residence and work permits on a mass scale will open up new pathways for migrants to move across Europe. American diplomats point out that if Spain issues documents, their holders gain the right to travel freely throughout the countries of the Schengen Agreement. This could create additional risks for security and border control at the external frontiers of the EU.
Concern is also growing in Brussels and several 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 members. Otherwise, there is a risk of undermining common standards and creating new loopholes for illegal entry.
Criticism and concerns
A particular source of dissatisfaction is that the Spanish decree weakens background checks on migrants. If the country of origin does not respond to a criminal record request within a month, a personal statement from the applicant is sufficient. According to European experts, this approach could allow individuals with unverified backgrounds to enter the EU, while information sharing with police and intelligence agencies in other countries may be insufficient.
Sharp debates over the Spanish initiative have already taken place in the European Parliament. Some deputies believe that such steps could trigger a new influx of illegal migrants and complicate the work of law enforcement agencies. In particular, they point to a lack of effective data exchange with Europol and transit countries.
Challenges for Spain
In practice, the impact of Madrid’s decision is already noticeable. Moroccan consulates in Spain have begun operating even on weekends to help their citizens take advantage of the legalization opportunity. This is causing concern among European officials: if the number of applications continues to rise, Spain could face new waves of migration, and other countries may experience additional pressure on their control systems.
With two thirds of Europeans now naming migration as one of the key 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 will be remains open.
Context and consequences
In recent years, migration has repeatedly been the subject of heated debate in Europe. In 2023, during Spain’s EU Council presidency, a new Migration and Asylum Pact was agreed upon, but it does not set quotas for countries or regulate mass legalizations. This gives national governments broad authority, but also fuels conflict among member states.
Previously on RUSSPAIN.COM, the consequences of mass legalizations and their impact on the country’s political landscape were discussed. One of our recent articles gave a detailed look at changes in voting rights for new citizens and descendants of exiles, as well as party disputes over Spain’s future. For more on how the new rules could affect elections and public life, see our feature on the topic voting rights.
Looking back at similar situations, it’s worth noting that in recent years several EU countries have already faced criticism for attempts to legalize migrants on a large scale. For example, Italy and Greece have introduced similar measures at different times, sparking debates over security and integration. The outcomes have consistently been mixed: on the one hand, legalization helped reduce the number of undocumented migrants; on the other, it prompted new challenges for the social system and law enforcement agencies. In 2024–2025, such initiatives were also discussed in other Southern European countries, but none triggered as strong an international reaction as Madrid’s current decision.
