Spain's Migrant Regularisation: A Pragmatic Move Requiring Robust Data Security, Expert Warns

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Spain's Migrant Regularisation: A Pragmatic Move Requiring Robust Data Security, Expert Warns

Spain's recent initiative to regularise the status of over half a million irregular migrants has sparked considerable debate regarding immigration policies and their potential ramifications. While many view this move as a 'pragmatic choice' aimed at integrating this population segment into society and the economy, experts are emphasizing the critical need for robust security measures for the personal data of these migrants to avert potential risks.

In an interview with FRANCE 24's Sharon Gaffney, Professor Nando Sigona, a leading expert in International Migration and Forced Displacement at the University of Birmingham, detailed his perspective on Spain's decision. He characterised the move to grant legal status to more than 500,000 undocumented individuals as a realistic response to the persistent challenges posed by irregular migration. Professor Sigona suggested that this policy could significantly improve the living conditions of these individuals, facilitate their access to essential services such as healthcare and education, and promote their integration into the formal labour market. This, in turn, could reduce exploitation and enhance their contribution to the national economy.

However, Professor Sigona did not shy away from the potential downsides, forcefully underscoring the imperative to establish strong safeguards for the personal data collected during the registration process. He drew a parallel with the experience in the United States concerning the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. DACA, designed to protect certain undocumented immigrants who came to the US as children, saw its data later used detrimentally against some individuals when a different administration took power, raising serious concerns about privacy and security.

Sigona issued a stark warning against the possibility of similar scenarios unfolding in Spain. "The weaponisation of migrant data, meaning its use against them in unexpected or unethical ways, is a real danger that we must take extremely seriously," he stated. He elaborated that such 'weaponisation' could manifest in various forms, ranging from the arbitrary deportation of individuals based on their registered data to discrimination in accessing employment or services, or even exploitation by malicious actors seeking illicit gains. Therefore, protecting this data transcends mere technical considerations; it is a fundamental ethical and human rights issue.

Spain's current policy is unfolding against a backdrop of increasing migration flows across Europe and globally. Nations are facing mounting pressure to accommodate and integrate migrants and refugees. Spain, due to its geographical location, confronts significant challenges in managing migration routes across the Mediterranean Sea. The decision to regularise the status of hundreds of thousands of migrants reflects an attempt to manage this phenomenon in a more organised and sustainable manner, moving away from containment or deportation strategies that have often proven ineffective and exacerbated human suffering.

This regularisation process, as highlighted by Sigona, necessitates complete transparency and stringent legal guarantees. Clear legislation must govern the collection, storage, and access to this data, specifying its permitted uses. Migrants must also be afforded the right to access and correct their own data, with accessible complaint mechanisms in place for any potential violations. Building trust between migrants and authorities is paramount for the success of any immigration policy, achievable only through unwavering commitment to protecting human rights and privacy.

From an economic perspective, integrating these migrants into the labour market could yield substantial benefits for Spain, a country grappling with labour shortages in certain sectors and facing a demographic challenge of an aging population. Migrants, particularly younger individuals, can fill crucial gaps in the workforce, contribute tax revenues, and bolster the social security system. However, realising these benefits requires investment in training and qualification programs, alongside concerted efforts to combat workplace discrimination. Neglecting these aspects risks consigning migrants to low-wage jobs with poor working conditions, undermining the very objectives of the regularisation initiative.

In conclusion, Spain's decision to regularise migrant statuses represents a bold step towards a more humane and realistic approach to migration management. Nevertheless, the ultimate success of this policy hinges crucially on the government's ability to secure migrants' personal data and ensure it is not misused. Lessons learned from the experiences of other nations, such as the United States, should serve as a vital cautionary guide, ensuring that this process benefits both the migrants and the broader society, while steadfastly upholding the fundamental rights of all individuals.

Ekhbary News Agency