The Spanish government’s recent decision to regularise the status of over 500,000 undocumented migrants has prompted a formal request for explanation from the United States administration, according to Spanish newspaper El Español. The move, intended to integrate long-term residents into Spanish society, is raising concerns in both Washington and Brussels about its potential impact on wider migration policies.
The request from the US, conveyed by a senior official from the previous administration to a European counterpart, centers on the possibility that Spain’s plan extends beyond its national sphere of influence. This follows a warning from European Commissioner for Migration, Magnus Brunner, who cautioned that a residence permit “is not a blank cheque” and that Spain must ensure its decision does not have “negative consequences” for other EU member states. Brunner emphasized the principle of shared responsibility in migration, stating that individual member states’ actions must not undermine the broader European Union framework.
Despite these concerns, Brunner acknowledged that mass regularisations are ultimately the responsibility of individual countries. Spain has a history of such measures, having implemented nine previous regularisations, some of which were approved by the People’s Party (PP), the same political grouping as Brunner within the European Parliament.
The current proposal grants a one-year residency permit to undocumented migrants currently residing in Spain, but does not automatically confer residency or employment rights in other EU nations. However, the scale of the regularisation – exceeding half a million people – has drawn scrutiny. An EU official, speaking to Euronews, stated that the move “is not in line with the European Union’s spirit on migration.”
The Spanish government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has positioned itself as a pro-immigration voice, emphasizing both the humanitarian and economic benefits of migration, particularly in the context of Spain’s declining population. This stance contrasts with a broader trend across Europe, where countries like Denmark, Italy, and Switzerland have adopted stricter migration policies, both in practice and rhetoric.
On Tuesday, the European Parliament approved measures to create a list of “safe countries of origin,” which will streamline the rejection of asylum applications, and to expand the concept of “safe third country,” potentially leading to the establishment of deportation centers outside European borders – a proposal Spain has previously opposed. These developments underscore the diverging approaches to migration within the EU, with Spain increasingly at odds with the prevailing sentiment.
As of Wednesday, February 11, 2026, the European Commission has not publicly responded to the US request for clarification regarding the Spanish plan.
