(DDM) – Several countries have recently moved to legalize undocumented immigrants, recognizing their contributions to the economy and the need for social integration.
These programs often focus on long-term residents, essential workers, or those with strong family or community ties.
Governments aim to formalize employment, ensure labor rights, and promote social inclusion through these initiatives.
Spain is among the most notable examples.
In 2026, the Spanish government announced a program to grant legal status to hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants.
The move continues Spain’s history of regularization schemes designed to integrate migrant workers into the formal economy.
Portugal has implemented similar initiatives, targeting undocumented residents with employment or long-term residence.
The program aims to integrate migrants fully into the labor market while providing social protections.
Ireland introduced its legalization scheme in 2022.
The program offered long-term undocumented residents a pathway to work permits and formal residency.
Irish officials highlighted the measure as a way to stabilize the lives of migrants who contribute to the workforce.
Italy has ongoing sanatoria programs, particularly for domestic workers and caregivers.
These initiatives allow eligible migrants to gain temporary or permanent legal status, addressing both humanitarian and economic needs.
Germany offers more limited pathways for legalization, mainly for undocumented residents with long-term presence or strong family connections.
While smaller in scale than programs in Spain or Portugal, Germany’s efforts are formal and structured.
Canada has also adopted targeted regularization programs for undocumented workers in essential sectors.
Healthcare, agriculture, and caregiving industries benefit from legalizing workers while addressing critical labor shortages.
Experts note that these programs reflect a pragmatic shift in global immigration policy.
By providing legal status, countries aim to reduce exploitation, increase tax contributions, and improve social cohesion.
Observers suggest that such measures balance humanitarian concerns with economic needs, ensuring that migrants can live and work safely.
As immigration debates continue worldwide, these six countries demonstrate a growing trend toward pragmatic regularization policies.
