If approved, the measure will also benefit thousands of Cuban migrants.
The measure, these sources added, is the result of an agreement with Podemos and a “sum of will that puts people at the center”, and “resumes the mandate” of a popular legislative initiative supported by more than 700,000 signatures. RTVE.es He pointed out that the taking into consideration of this ILP was supported by a large parliamentary majority (310 votes in favor and 33 against, with the rejection of Vox).
According to the Spanish media, the announcement came minutes after the political secretary and MEP of Podemos, Irene Montero, announced the agreement with the PSOE, with the purpose of regularizing “around half a million people”, who will be able to benefit from the measure until June 30. Montero specified that “all people who were in Spain before December 31, 2025 and who can prove at least five months of residence will have papers.” According to the information released, that residence could be accredited with registration or other means such as “a medical report, an electricity contract or a money transfer certificate.”
For its part, the EFE agency accurate that, upon submitting the application, return procedures or expulsion orders will be suspended for administrative reasons or for working without permission. Admission to processing will also “give a provisional residence authorization” that will allow you to work legally and access rights such as health care. If the resolution is favorable, a residence authorization will be granted for one year, after which an ordinary authorization may be requested in accordance with the immigration regulations.
In the official argument, the Ministry maintained that, with this royal decree, Spain “reinforces” a migration policy “based on human rights, integration and coexistence, compatible with economic growth and social cohesion.” RTVE.es He also stressed that, as it is processed as a royal decree, the Government does not require parliamentary validation – unlike royal decree-laws – and that this route seeks to overcome the lack of support in immigration matters, among other reasons due to Junts’ rejection of previous measures. Sumar, for its part, valued the initiative as a step “to a more just and democratic society.”
Podemos described the step as an “urgent and social justice” measure and maintained that it recognizes the rights of hundreds of thousands of people who “live and work in our country, but who until now have been denied basic rights in an exercise of institutional racism that only fuels exploitation and racist hatred,” according to RTVE.es.
From the opposition, the leader of the PP, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, criticized the initiative and stated in X: “Up to 46 dead. Hundreds injured. No resignation. And Sánchez’s first response is a massive regularization to divert attention, increase the call effect and overwhelm our public services.” Vox also charged against the measure: “The tyrant Sánchez hates the Spanish people. He wants to replace them. That is why he intends to promote the call-by-decree effect, to accelerate the invasion,” wrote Santiago Abascal.
