European Parliament Approves Stricter Migration Policies Amid Calls for Orderly Integration in Spain

The European Parliament has approved two new measures that tighten the European Union's migration policy, sparked by a coalition of right and far-right lawmakers. These measures aim to ease the transfer of asylum seekers to countries deemed 'safe' by the EU, even if those countries are not migrants' countries of origin. This follows Italy's attempt to establish migrant centers in Albania, which have remained largely empty since 2024 due to legal challenges questioning their constitutionality. Alongside this, the Parliament has established a list of 'safe' countries including Kosovo, Bangladesh, and Colombia, limiting the asylum prospects for nationals from these countries.

The EU Commission insists that any country receiving migrants under this program must uphold fundamental rights, while critics, such as Green MEP Melissa Camara, label these steps as moves towards the 'dehumanization of migration policy,' asserting they undermine the dignity of asylum seekers. Conservative MEP Lena Dupont defended the new rules as fulfilling political promises at a time of increased pressure to address migration, despite a 25% decrease in irregular entries in 2025. In 2024, nearly one million people sought asylum in the EU, with approximately 440,000 granted protection.

In Spain, a related call for an orderly and regulated migration policy was made by Susana Camarero, Spain’s First Vice President and Minister responsible for Employment and Equality. Presenting findings from the Economic and Social Council's report on migration, she emphasized the importance of integrating migrants into the labor market and highlighted current administrative barriers delaying migrants’ access to employment. Camarero stressed that Spain is undergoing a new migratory cycle characterized by increased family migration and international protection requests, vital for demographic balance amid an aging population.

She advocated for migration policy based on humanity, legality, and efficiency, linking effective immigration management to economic growth and social cohesion. Particular sectors in Spain, including agriculture, construction, logistics, and caregiving, depend heavily on foreign labor, demanding more agile processes aligned with labor market needs.

The recent EU-wide policy tightening contrasts with Spain’s emphasis on structured migration management and labor integration, illustrating the complex and multifaceted nature of migration policy in Europe today.