As Trump shuts out migrants, Spain opens its doors and fuels economic growth

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Defying the anti-immigrant trend in the U.S., Spain is reaping economic benefits by granting citizenship to tens of thousands of newly-arrived workers

 

June 22, 2025

...

"As the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigrants and asylum seekers brings tear gas, protests and raids to the streets of the United States, Spain is positioning itself as a counterpoint: a new land of opportunity.

 

In this nation of 48 million with long colonial links to the New World, an influx of predominantly Latin American immigrants is helping fuel one of the fastest-growing economies in Europe. The Spanish economic transformation is unfolding as the center-left government of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has streamlined immigration rules while offering legal status to roughly 700,000 irregular migrants since 2021."

 

(more)

 

https://archive.ph/4FJMP

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ThreeCardMonte]

Good!  They can have them and we can send them our illegal aliens.

 

Problem solved.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

4 minutes ago, ThreeCardMonte said:

Good!  They can have them and we can send them our illegal aliens.

 

Problem solved.

 

Be mindful of the outcome for the U.S. of what you're advocating:

 

As the above report recounts regarding Spain's opposite approach:

 

"No policy has been as transformative to Spanish society as the stance on immigration, which officials and economists say is helping to reverse population decline and boost social welfare funding at a moment when baby boomers are retiring.

 

Immigration is also helping drive the strongest period of economic growth since Spain’s construction boom in the mid-2000s. Between 2022 and 2024, average GDP per capita increased 2.9 percent — the strongest of the E.U.’s four largest economies."

 

https://archive.ph/4FJMP

 

[still kicking]

8 minutes ago, ThreeCardMonte said:

Good!  They can have them and we can send them our illegal aliens.

 

Problem solved.

Can you read? They are not illegal. 

[Yagoda]

19 minutes ago, ThreeCardMonte said:

Good!  They can have them and we can send them our illegal aliens.

 

Problem solved.

I hope it all works out for them, they can pay for their own defense then.

[Patong2021]

Context please. Spain is experiencing "an influx of predominantly Latin American immigrants". This is a critical factor because it allows for a better integration of  immigrants. It  should be obvious;

- Similar language

- Similar religion, ethnicity and culture

When an immigrant shares many of the  characteristics of the host country and understands the local language, then integration is easier. Job placement is easier too. It is a sharp contrast to the Arab and African migrants who migrate Often they do not share a similar culture or understand the local language. They end up on social benefits, living in ghettos and clinging to their homeland  culture, not integrating.

 

[NoDisplayName]

39 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

the anti-immigrant trend in the U.S.

 

anti-ILLEGAL-immigrant trend.

 

Note what Spain is getting:

"Armed with a college degree but no work permit"

 

In contrast, we get:

"Armed and tatted, and with a backpack full of fentanyl"

[ThreeCardMonte]

37 minutes ago, still kicking said:

Can you read? They are not illegal. 

Did I say that?  No 

 

I said send them our illegal aliens.  Perfect match.  Spanish speaking country.

[Yellowtail]

26 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

Context please. Spain is experiencing "an influx of predominantly Latin American immigrants". This is a critical factor because it allows for a better integration of  immigrants. It  should be obvious;

- Similar language

- Similar religion, ethnicity and culture

When an immigrant shares many of the  characteristics of the host country and understands the local language, then integration is easier. Job placement is easier too. It is a sharp contrast to the Arab and African migrants who migrate Often they do not share a similar culture or understand the local language. They end up on social benefits, living in ghettos and clinging to their homeland  culture, not integrating.

 

And you can bet none of them will be illiterate. 

[blaze master]

I hear locals in Spain are ecstatic about tourism lately.

[still kicking]

7 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

And you can bet none of them will be illiterate. 

What's your point? My Thai wife came to OZ many years ago, and she could not speak English at all, just like me. I am not British or from any other English-speaking country. She is a nurse now, after studying hard for years. She could put you to shame now

[Keep Right]

1 hour ago, ThreeCardMonte said:

Good!  They can have them and we can send them our illegal aliens.

 

Problem solved.

And since most of the illegals in the United States already speak Spanish, it would be a great fit and the language issue would be solved. It's a win/win situation. 

[Keep Right]

11 minutes ago, blaze master said:

I hear locals in Spain are ecstatic about tourism lately.

Spain loves the tourists and gives them a warm welcome with water pistols. 

[zz4096]

11 minutes ago, still kicking said:

What's your point? My Thai wife came to OZ many years ago, and she could not speak English at all, just like me. I am not British or from any other English-speaking country. She is a nurse now, after studying hard for years. She could put you to shame now

 

You're awfully naive for such an old coot. You think you'd have learnt a trick or two by now cobber.

[still kicking]

14 minutes ago, Keep Right said:

Spain loves the tourists and gives them a warm welcome with water pistols. 

Yeah, they have Songkran as well.

[Magictoad]

Spain! Gimme a break. They have over 5 million illegal immigrants from Africa & Arabia plus stateless gypsies.  They are NOT letting in anymore immigrants; they are too busy shipping them back to Morocco & Tunisia & countless other places.

[NoDisplayName]

25 minutes ago, still kicking said:

What's your point? My Thai wife came to OZ many years ago, and she could not speak English at all, just like me. I am not British or from any other English-speaking country. She is a nurse now, after studying hard for years. She could put you to shame now

 

With passport and valid visa?

 

Or did she wash up on the beach in an inflatable dinghy from Indochina under cover of darkness?

[Magictoad]

1 hour ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

Be mindful of the outcome for the U.S. of what you're advocating:

 

As the above report recounts regarding Spain's opposite approach:

 

"No policy has been as transformative to Spanish society as the stance on immigration, which officials and economists say is helping to reverse population decline and boost social welfare funding at a moment when baby boomers are retiring.

 

Immigration is also helping drive the strongest period of economic growth since Spain’s construction boom in the mid-2000s. Between 2022 and 2024, average GDP per capita increased 2.9 percent — the strongest of the E.U.’s four largest economies."

 

https://archive.ph/4FJMP

 

Just cos it's been writ; don't mean it's true. Spain is overflowing with illegal migrants from Arabia, Africa and stateless gypsies.  About 5 million or more- picking up benefits and housing.

I love Spain and Portugal but mass immigration has ruined them; same as Britain. Easier to live here.

[Magictoad]

What is the relationship between Trump and Spain? None...There is an ebb and flow of people all over the world. Iran for instance...

[still kicking]

6 minutes ago, NoDisplayName said:

 

With passport and valid visa?

 

Or did she wash up on the beach in an inflatable dinghy from Indochina under cover of darkness?

Disgusting post 

[SunnyinBangrak]

2 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

"No policy has been as transformative to Spanish society as the stance on immigration, which officials and economists say is helping to reverse population decline and boost social welfare funding at a moment when baby boomers are retiring.

Have you been there recently? Just come back from south Spain. Must admit it's super easy to buy knock off Vuitton bags and dust of similarly dubious provenance. Grand-daughter hassled constantly. No sign any of these newcomers are contributing in any +ve way to the country.

Another open border raging success story.

[NoDisplayName]

24 minutes ago, still kicking said:

Disgusting post 

 

Not at all.

 

You brought up that individual as an example of sorts.

 

Legal immigrant or illegal?

[RayC]

2 hours ago, Magictoad said:

Spain! Gimme a break. They have over 5 million illegal immigrants from Africa & Arabia plus stateless gypsies.  They are NOT letting in anymore immigrants; they are too busy shipping them back to Morocco & Tunisia & countless other places.

 

So the data detailing that 2m (legal) immigrants arrived in Spain in 2022/23 from non-EU countries is a lie? And you know that how?

 

2 hours ago, Magictoad said:

Just cos it's been writ; don't mean it's true. Spain is overflowing with illegal migrants from Arabia, Africa and stateless gypsies.  About 5 million or more- picking up benefits and housing.

I love Spain and Portugal but mass immigration has ruined them; same as Britain. Easier to live here.

 

They are +/-7m foreign-born nationals in Spain and you think 5m or more are on benefits. Any evidence to support that claim?

[Yellowtail]

10 hours ago, still kicking said:

What's your point? My Thai wife came to OZ many years ago, and she could not speak English at all, just like me. I am not British or from any other English-speaking country. She is a nurse now, after studying hard for years. She could put you to shame now

Your wife was illiterate before you moved to Australia? 

[Digitalbanana]

Why, are the powers that be so intent to make the US an unlikable, closed ecosystem? We need the rest of the world and they need us. People in America are smart. So how is anyone okay with masked officers roaming our city streets and becoming the new calling card of the current administration? Watching families and screaming kids being torn apart in real time is not what makes this country great. Nobody, not even the most diehard conservatives, voted for these optics. This is not the America anyone wants. Diversity is good. It’s healthy. And please nobody should ever say “just come here legally and we would be fine with it.” In 2025, that is literally impossible. It’s never happening. In fact, I have tried for years to pay for and help talented software developers and scientists, with multiple higher degrees and PhDs, gain US citizenship and even that is next to impossible. Imagine a poor, single mother from Central America who wants a chance to save her kids from gang violence but has zero chance of US citizenship. So, let’s stop the BS. Let’s stop this fake narrative. You know it’s about money and the color of your skin. Elon Musk came to the US illegally on a student visa but never went to school. He only became legal after his investors threatened to pull out because he was here illegally. Did you know that we have a genius or Einstein exemption to gain US citizenship? The only problem is that people like Trump abused those open slots to marry a nude Slovenian model who came to the US illegally to work on a tourist visa. Einstein exemption, really? People who live in glass houses need to look in the mirror occasionally.

 

The Soz.

[Yellowtail]

2 hours ago, Digitalbanana said:

Why, are the powers that be so intent to make the US an unlikable, closed ecosystem? We need the rest of the world and they need us. People in America are smart. So how is anyone okay with masked officers roaming our city streets and becoming the new calling card of the current administration? Watching families and screaming kids being torn apart in real time is not what makes this country great. Nobody, not even the most diehard conservatives, voted for these optics. This is not the America anyone wants. Diversity is good. It’s healthy. And please nobody should ever say “just come here legally and we would be fine with it.” In 2025, that is literally impossible. It’s never happening. In fact, I have tried for years to pay for and help talented software developers and scientists, with multiple higher degrees and PhDs, gain US citizenship and even that is next to impossible. Imagine a poor, single mother from Central America who wants a chance to save her kids from gang violence but has zero chance of US citizenship. So, let’s stop the BS. Let’s stop this fake narrative. You know it’s about money and the color of your skin. Elon Musk came to the US illegally on a student visa but never went to school. He only became legal after his investors threatened to pull out because he was here illegally. Did you know that we have a genius or Einstein exemption to gain US citizenship? The only problem is that people like Trump abused those open slots to marry a nude Slovenian model who came to the US illegally to work on a tourist visa. Einstein exemption, really? People who live in glass houses need to look in the mirror occasionally.

 

The Soz.

 

If those "...talented software developers and scientists, with multiple higher degrees and PhDs..." were "...single mother from Central America..." that were coming in illegally, going on public assistance and would be voting left to keep those benefits coming, the left would welcome them with open arms. 

 

Illegals are already a big boost for the left by increasing the number of blue house seats, and the whole idea of "comprehensive immigration reform" is to get them voting. 

 

I understand how allowing illegals flood into the country helps the rich and the "credentialed" class, but it does so on the backs of the poor and middle class. 

 

If you want to have an honest discussion, please explain how I am wrong. 

 

 

[NoDisplayName]

2 hours ago, Digitalbanana said:

In 2025, that is literally impossible. It’s never happening. 

 

You could repeat talking points, or you could google actual data.

 

Legal Immigration and Adjustment of Status Report

 

Supporting data tables (at bottom of this webpage) are additionally provided for these four categories:

• Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR)
• Refugee Admissions
• Naturalizations
• Nonimmigrant (I-94) Admissions

https://ohss.dhs.gov/topics/immigration/legal-immigration-and-adjustment-status-report

[NoDisplayName]

14th amendment, section 2:

 

Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, ......

 

How are they counted?

By census.

Does the census ask about citizenship?

No, not since 1950.

What is census data used for?

Hmmmmmmmmmmm...........

[candide]

14 hours ago, Keep Right said:

Spain loves the tourists and gives them a warm welcome with water pistols. 

What's the relation between immigration in Spain, and a reaction to excessive tourism in a specific city (Barcelona)! 🙂

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

14 hours ago, blaze master said:

I hear locals in Spain are ecstatic about tourism lately.

 

And of course, the topic here has absolutely nothing to do with tourism or what locals there feel about tourism trends.

 

It has to do with the entirely different topic of Spain finding and creating via immigration a willing and capable workforce to fill jobs that need to be filled to advance their economy and pay the taxes that help support their social programs for all Spanish citizens.