00:00The European Commission has strong reservations over Spain granting legal status to half a million irregular migrants,
00:08according to sources speaking to Euronews.
00:11Three EU officials told Euronews they were worried Madrid's plans could conflict with the bloc's current immigration policy.
00:18The decision was announced by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at the end of January
00:22and affects people who have entered the country before December 31st.
00:26Migrants must have resided in Spain for at least five months
00:30or have requested asylum before the end of 2025 to be eligible for consideration.
00:36The new decree will provide beneficiaries with one-year residence permits
00:40and the right to work in any sector anywhere in the country.
00:44EU officials say the measure is not in line with the Commission's stance
00:48and risks sending the wrong message to irregular migrants, one that encourages illegal passageways.
00:54Lawmakers are also concerned that some of these migrants may utilize their freedom of movement within the bloc
01:00to travel across Europe and settle elsewhere illegally.
01:04Following Madrid's announcement of the move,
01:07EU Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner offered no judgment
01:10and said that the matter is a national responsibility.
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