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2001 and expected to run until 2004. Falling within the Interior Ministry, the Greco
Plan includes four basic lines of action:
A coordinated overall framework for immigration as a desirable phenomenon
for Spain within the context of the European Union;
Integration of foreign residents and their families as active contributors to the
growth of Spain;
Admission regulation to ensure peaceful coexistence within Spanish society;
Management of the shelter scheme for refugees and displaced persons.
Based on the territorial organization of the Spanish state, and its political and
administrative decentralization, the Greco Plan acknowledges the vital role that
regional governments play in integrating the immigrant population. Law 8/2000 and
the Greco Plan are both explicit in their recognition that the development and implementation
of integration policies at the local level will have the greatest impact on
integration.
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SPAIN
The ruling Partido Popular (PP) considered Law 4/2000 too permissive and not in line with the
more restrictive lines promoted by the European Union. The party’s parliamentary majority after
the March 2000 elections enabled it to pass Law 8/2000 to amend the previous legislation. The
regulation enacting the law came into force in mid-2001.
Aligning itself with common European policy on immigration and asylum, the law addressed
access and control measures, reflected an effort to ensure integration of legal immigrants and
limit illegal immigration, and paved the way for the signing of cooperation agreements with the
main countries of origin to manage inflows from the point of origin.
A third reform of the Spanish Aliens Law was introduced in October 2003. This law continues to
restrict immigration like the previous Law 8/2000. Once the law is adopted after a second reading
in the Senate, the main changes will be:
Introduction of a three-month visa allowing entry into Spain for the purpose of seeking a
regular job. Where the job search is successful, the migrant will be granted a temporary residence
permit.
Tightening of the rules on family reunion. The possibility of multiple reunions will be
excluded, and the interpretation of the term family is brought in line with EU regulations.
Additional measures to combat illegal entry. This foresees penal sanctions for traffickers and
employers of undocumented migrants, as well as stricter carrier sanctions, where carriers do
not cooperate in supplying certain information. The Ministry of Interior will also be granted
access to data of local resident registration offices and social security authorities in order to
locate undocumented migrants (many of them are registered at the municipalities where they
reside illegally, in order to benefit from the health service).