The Spanish Parliament has agreed to discuss an initiative calling for legitimizing all immigrants living in the country illegally.
The initiative, launched by an organization that has been advocating for undocumented immigrants for about three years, has been signed by over 600,000 people and gained support from nearly 900 associations. It calls for mechanisms that allow undocumented immigrants living in Spain without documents to leave behind their hidden status and lack of rights.
The initiative emphasizes that according to the latest estimates, there are between 390,000 and 470,000 people illegally residing in Spain in, one-third of whom are minors. It adds that the criteria for obtaining a restrictive residence permit is very limited, and the procedures are slow and bureaucratic.
Regarding the issue of illegal migration, the ruling Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party expressed support for the Parliament to examine the proposed law project, but remains cautious, considering that European law does not all
ow for general legitimization of undocumented immigrants.
On the other hand, the drafters of the initiative believe that the current situation damages the fundamental rights of undocumented immigrants who do not pay taxes, leading to significant economic and financial loss for Spain.
It is worth noting that Spain, like other European countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, faces a flow of undocumented immigrants, most of whom come from sub-Saharan Africa.
Source: Qatar News Agency