SPAIN TO REGULARIZE 1M+ MIGRANTS, EASING WORK AND RESIDENCY RULES

Omar G. Encarnación argues that Spain is diverging from broader Western trends by adopting welcoming immigration policies, including new regulations that ease residency and work permits and a debated amnesty that could regularize over a million undocumented people. The reforms aim to address demographic decline and labor shortages, given Spain’s low birthrate and tourism-driven job market. Broad public support — from a large petition, NGOs, business groups and the Spanish bishops — and Spain’s history of emigration have helped mute political backlash. The author suggests Spain’s humane, pragmatic approach could serve as a model for other countries.