Foreigners in Spain
Immigration Issues
Things have worked rather differently for Spain with regard to foreigners and immigration issues in comparison to other countries of the European Union such as France, Germany and Great Britain.
Before becoming a European Union member state
After the wars in Europe, Spain became a typically emigrant country with a huge number of Spaniards migrating to other European countries such as Germany, UK, Switzerland and France that were in need of manual labor, as well as other places around the world, such as Argentina, who was opening up its doors to receive immigrants and populate the country. This outflow from Spain continued until the mid seventies, when people who had left the country began returning home.
After joining the EEC
Spain joined the EEC (which evolved into the European Union) in January 1986, and since, immigration in Spain began rising. However only recently has immigration represented a serious issue in Spain. This has set it apart from other European nations that have been dealing with such an issue for a lot longer. Spain has been able to draw on the experience acquired by these other countries in dealing with these matters, especially regarding immigration policies.
Although the immigrants that come to Spain are of all backgrounds the two largest groups of immigrants that can be identified include:
- Retired persons from Northern European countries (who don't pose problems as they don't seek work or social support)
- immigrants from third world countries.
Statistics show that over the last few years, Spain has become a target country for immigrants coming especially from Northern African and South American countries. One of the main reasons for this is the increased living standard in Spain. As a first world country, in most cases Spain can guarantee many a better quality lifestyle. For many, Spain also represents an access point into the rest of Europe.
Foreign Workers in Spain
- Due to several factors, Spain began experiencing an increasing demand for unskilled labour – people who would work in industry, agriculture and especially in the tourist and catering industry.
- Some of these reasons include the ageing Spanish population and the Spaniards’ general economic growth, leading to their increased education and social well-being and thus allowing them to be more particular about the jobs they accept.
- Accordingly, a large demand for workers emerged, which was soon answered by immigrants. These immigrants, who replaced the Spanish in these lower-status employment positions were generally supported and made to feel welcome.
Illegal Immigrants
However, illegal immigrants represent a major problem in Spain.
- Mostly from third world countries, they either cross the strait of Gibraltar in small boats from Morocco or enter Spain as tourist and then outstay their tourist visas. This implies a great burden to the system as a whole.
- In 2000 Spain asked the illegal immigrants staying in the country to come forward and promised they would legalize those who could be legalized, the Foreigners Offices all over the country were inundated by 245.000 illegal asking for papers. 131.644 of them were legalized.
Illegal immigrants continue to pose a major problem for the Spanish system as a whole and not only Spain is faced with this problem, so are other European nations. It is not uncommon for illegal immigrants to be detained and deported back to their counties of origin.
