The Spanish government has decided to support exceptional regularization, which could benefit hundreds of thousands of immigrants in an irregular situation. This measure aims to address the deficiencies of the new immigration regulations, which will come into force on May 20, 2025. This has led to legal uncertainty and concern in various social and political circles.
The exceptional regularization is seen as a response to the criticism the reform of the regulation has received. The government is working against time to ensure that the Popular Legislative Initiative (ILP) is debated in Congress before the summer. The aim is to avoid parliamentary complications and ensure approval.
This initiative is supported by more than 700,000 signatures and numerous social organizations that have denounced the violation of the fundamental rights of immigrants in an irregular situation.
Furthermore, the measure responds to demand from the productive sectors, which complain of a labor shortage and believe that regularization would contribute to the country’s stability and economic growth.
Paradigm Shift Toward Inclusion
Exceptional regularization has been rejected by the government in the past. However, this time it is considered a necessary measure to correct the errors of the new regulation and ensure a more inclusive migration policy that respects human rights.
The executive is working on a new text that aims to include as many beneficiaries as possible. Negotiations are underway with various political groups, including Podemos and the People’s Party, whose positions could potentially be influenced by the Church.
The adoption of this exceptional regularization would be one of the most ambitious measures regarding immigration to Spain in over a decade. If it comes to fruition, it would represent a paradigm shift in Spanish migration policy, promoting inclusion in the face of administrative exclusion.
PSOE’s Turnaround on Extraordinary Regularization
Particularly surprising is the turnaround of the government’s socialist wing, which has moved from initial reservations to enthusiasm for pushing the measure forward. There are several reasons for this, such as Sánchez’s attempt to shift leftward amid the ideological polarization of the parliamentary spectrum and pressure from its primary partners.
The PSOE has recently been forced to make some concessions to Junts, which has led to tensions within the government. Now it is forced to satisfy its left-wing partners, particularly ERC and Podemos.
Both the Republicans and Podemos have long emphasized the urgent need for the government to address migration reform. The Socialists fear that massive regularization could generate additional political pressure from the PP and Vox. At the same time, however, they must stabilize the left wing of the coalition to avoid unexpected problems.
