Immigrating to Spain: The Story of Nariola Romo
Nariola Romo, 34, emigrated from Colombia to Spain with her family. Initially, they planned to move to the United States. However, two loans they needed for their journey fell through. Instead, they settled in Europe.
Romo’s perspective has changed as she nears legal status in Spain. She sees their situation as fortunate, given the challenges migrants face in the U.S. “God didn’t want us there,” she reflected, considering they might have faced deportation.
The Romo family, including Romo, her husband Ángel, her son Angelito, daughter Claribel, and father Will, navigate life in Barcelona, highlighting their journey.
Marta Campabadal documents their daily commute on the metro.
Spain’s Regularization Process Offers Hope
Spain is processing a regularization effort to legalize over 500,000 undocumented immigrants. If successful, adult immigrants will receive a one-year permit and minors a five-year status, contrasting significantly with U.S. immigration policies.
Applications opened April 16, leading to over 549,596 submissions by June 30. The Spanish prime minister called the move an “act of normalization,” acknowledging the vital role immigrants play in Spanish life.
Romo’s family hopes to benefit from this plan. “Thanks to social media, we learned about regularization. It was pivotal for our future,” said Romo.
The family applied after dealing with asylum denial and facing threats in Colombia. Romo shared the emotional impact of leaving her home and business with everything packed in a small suitcase.
Diadji Nguirane’s Path to Stability
Diadji Nguirane, from Senegal, represents a different story. Living in Spain with his partner Maimouna Gueye and three daughters, he eagerly awaits regularization to gain legal working status. His family already has legal status.
Living in Terrassa, near Barcelona, Gueye supports the family through cleaning work. Nguirane looks forward to contributing financially, potentially joining the hospital staff.
Returning to Senegal is not an option for Gueye, who finds adaptation challenging during visits.
Requirements of Regularization
Applicants must prove residency in Spain since January 2026 and meet several criteria, including criminal record checks. Some may need a vulnerability certificate showing difficult conditions like employment or housing issues.
Regularizations have occurred before, with a significant process led by the Zapatero government 20 years ago. Such measures are common worldwide.
The estimated undocumented population reached 800,000 by 2025, according to think tank estimates.
Regularization Benefits and Opposition
Regularization of immigrants can benefit economies with aging populations, like Spain’s, whose aging index hit record highs. Veronica Jaramillo, a lawyer at Bayt al-Thaqafa Foundation, views regularization as beneficial for Social Security systems, describing it as “utilitarian.”
Opposition from right-wing parties calls it irresponsible and a strain on public services. Isabel Díaz Ayuso, president of Madrid region, criticized it as a political move to manipulate the census and transform Spain.
Though affected immigrants will not vote, families like Romo’s and Nguirane’s hope regularization enhances their life prospects, desiring to settle and establish roots in Spain.
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