Spain launches mass regularisation of nearly 500,000 migrants

Middle Eastern outlets stress the human impact, highlighting migrant communities from Africa and Asia who see the plan as a lifeline after years without papers. Responsibility for past hardship is placed on tough European migration rules that left many people working off the books and vulnerable to exploitation. Commentators expect the regularisation to improve living conditions and remittance flows, while warning that without safer legal routes, dangerous journeys toward Spain will continue.

• •Migrant groups from countries such as Bangladesh and Morocco view the Spanish plan as long-awaited recognition.
• •Rights advocates argue that legal status will reduce exploitation in sectors where undocumented migrants are often underpaid.
• •Families in origin countries expect higher and more stable remittances once relatives in Spain can work legally.
• •Critics of EU migration policy say Spain is correcting years of neglect toward undocumented workers already inside the country.
• •Commentators warn that unless Europe expands safe migration channels, people will still risk irregular routes to reach Spain.