Legalization Programs in Europe: A Model for the U.S.

I taught in Spain a few summers ago and saw many of the same immigration issues that we have long seen in the United States — fortified borders (and deaths of migrants), a large undocumented (and racialized) labor force in the agriculture, service and construction industries, and nativism run amok.

The Europeans have responded with the much-maligned “amnesty.”  According to the N.Y. Times, Americans might consider the possible effects of a legalization program by looking at southern Europe. In the last two decades, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Greece have run at least 15 legalization programs, including a Spanish effort three years ago that was among the Continent’s largest. With little domestic opposition, Spain legalized nearly 600,000 of the African, Latin American and eastern European workers who helped power its economy and brought this once insular land the strengths and strains of diversity. Immigrants say their prized work cards have brought higher wages, peace of mind and reunions of separated families. But critics say legalizations have attracted more undocumented migrants — with spillover risks to nearby countries — and warn that an economic slowdown now puts Spain and its foreigners at odds.

KJ