Regularisation of illegal migrants in Spain and consequences for the EU
26.9.2024
Question for written answer E-001829/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Jean-Paul Garraud (PfE), Jordan Bardella (PfE), Mathilde Androuët (PfE), Valérie Deloge (PfE), Marie-Luce Brasier-Clain (PfE), Julien Leonardelli (PfE), Pierre Pimpie (PfE), Angéline Furet (PfE), Julie Rechagneux (PfE), Anne-Sophie Frigout (PfE), Catherine Griset (PfE), Malika Sorel (PfE), Pascale Piera (PfE), Aleksandar Nikolic (PfE), Matthieu Valet (PfE)
The Spanish Government has recently relaxed its criteria for regularising irregular migrants by introducing a residence permit for illegal immigrants with a work contract[1].
To be eligible, they must have lived in Spain for at least 2 years, have a clean criminal record and have an employment contract for just 20 hours per week – criteria that are particularly lax. Alongside this scheme are 12-month residence permits for migrants undergoing training in sectors with shortages, despite the fact that few of them actually obtain long-term employment.
This increase in regularisations could, however, encourage the exploitation of migrants and spread of criminal networks. Indeed, in June 2024 the police dismantled a large network involved in distributing fake work contracts[2].
In addition to making immigration more appealing, these regularisations – adopted unilaterally – allow migrants to move freely within the Schengen Area.
- 1.Does the Commission believe that these more relaxed rules facilitating irregular immigration meet the expectations of Europeans, most of whom want to see more action to combat illegal immigration[3]?
- 2.Will it revise the Schengen Borders Code to limit free movement to EU nationals alone?
Submitted: 26.9.2024
- [1] https://www.rtve.es/noticias/20240722/nuevo-reglamento-extranjeria-flexibilizara-requisitos-regularizar-inmigrantes/16194594.shtml
- [2] https://www.infomigrants.net/fr/post/57803/un-reseau-de-faux-contrats-de-travail-demantele-en-espagne#:~:text=Cent%20dix%20personnes%2C%20soup%C3%A7onn%C3%A9es%20d,situation%20aupr%C3%A8s%20des%20autorit%C3%A9s%20espagnoles
- [3] https://fr.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/03/26/la-moitie-des-europeens-desapprouvent-la-politique-migratoire-de-lue-selon-un-sondage