Weber Slams Spain's 1 Million Migrant Regularization as EPP Pushes Curbs on Asylum
Updated
Updated · Euronews · Jul 1
Weber Slams Spain's 1 Million Migrant Regularization as EPP Pushes Curbs on Asylum
2 articles · Updated · Euronews · Jul 1
Summary
More than 1 million applications have hit Spain's migrant regularization plan, which Manfred Weber said would affect all of Europe despite permits being valid only in Spain.
Schengen free movement underpins his criticism: Weber argued newly regularized migrants could still travel to France, Belgium or Poland, making the measure a bloc-wide issue.
The EPP paired that attack with a tougher migration line in Vienna, urging the EU to let member states refuse asylum at borders in cases of "instrumentalisation" or arrivals from a "safe" third country.
Weber also backed the EU's new return regulation and offshore return centers, saying only 20% of deportation orders are currently enforced.
The clash highlights a wider divide with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who says immigration is vital to offset aging and avoid a 19% GDP hit by 2050.
Spain's economy needs migrants, but the EPP fears a crisis. Which poses a greater risk to Europe?
As Spain regularizes a million migrants, can the EU’s new digital borders truly stop their movement?
With past schemes failing, can the EU's new offshore 'return hubs' succeed without violating human rights?
Spain’s 2026 Regularization: Over 1.27 Million Migrants Apply Amid Political, Economic, and EU Turmoil
Overview
Spain’s extraordinary migrant regularization program closed for applications on June 30, 2026, drawing over 1.27 million submissions and highlighting the urgent need for legal status among undocumented residents. In the final hours, NGOs and legal aid groups worked intensely to help as many migrants as possible, recognizing this as a rare chance for legalization. The overwhelming demand showed how many people sought stability and access to rights. This large-scale effort, marked by collaboration and urgency, sets the stage for significant changes in Spain’s immigration landscape and raises important questions for future policy and integration.