Spain’s parliament has taken an important step toward approving the #RegularizaciónYa citizens’ initiative, which advocates for the regularization of approximately 500,000 undocumented migrants who have resided in Spain since before November 1, 2021. This initiative has gathered significant public support, amassing 700,000 signatures and being endorsed by over 900 non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
The NGOs emphasize the critical contributions of undocumented migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in essential sectors like elder care, food delivery, and agriculture. Advocates argue that failing to regularize this group would infringe on their fundamental rights, limit their ability to contribute to society, and hinder the development of essential public services.
Spain’s Minister for Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration, Elma Saiz, has expressed strong support for the initiative. She indicated that the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) plans to introduce amendments to further enhance the proposal.
The #RegularizaciónYa movement includes several organizations, such as Fundación para la Ciudadanía Global, Fundación Por Causa, Red de Entidades para el Desarrollo Solidario (REDES), Alianza para la Solidaridad, and the Por un Mundo Más Justo political party. The campaign began in 2021 and achieved a key milestone in February 2023 when the Central Electoral Board confirmed that the required 500,000 signatures had been collected to initiate parliamentary proceedings.
