Spain to give legal status to migrants affected by deadly floods

MADRID: Spain´s leftist government said on Tuesday it will give one-year residence and work permits to undocumented migrants affected by last year´s devastating floods that killed over 200 people.

The measure approved by the cabinet is part of the government´s recovery response to the October 2024 disaster, which laid waste to swathes of the eastern Valencia region, an industrial and agricultural powerhouse.

The one-year permits will be granted due to the “exceptional circumstances” faced by illegal migrants during Spain´s worst floods in decades, the migration ministry said in a statement.

Once they expire, they can be renewed through regular channels.

Foreigners who lost relatives in the floods will be given five-year residency while foreigners who were living legally in the affected area can request that their residency permits be automatically renewed.

Permits can be denied if there are concerns over public order, security or health, according to the ministry.

The government expects the measures will benefit at least 25,000 people.

The man charged by the regional government of Valencia to lead the reconstruction effort, retired General Francisco Jose Gan Pampols, welcomed the measure, saying many companies in the affected area struggled to find workers.

“If these people can carry out any of the many jobs that need doing in the region, they are more than welcome,” he told reporters.