The new law will strengthen measures against the illegal entry of foreign nationals, especially those who subsequently remain in Spain. More severe penalties are provided for individuals and groups engaged in the illegal trafficking of labor into the country. With the adoption of the new law, illegal immigrants, particularly those who have committed offenses, will be easier to deport. One of the new measures in the law is the requirement for airlines to provide police with passenger lists for each flight, as well as information about those who arrived in Spain as tourists but did not use their return ticket.
However, the most important innovation in the law will be a 'job-seeking visa.' At the insistence of the Socialist Party, foreigners who entered illegally in search of work will be granted a temporary visa for a period of three months so they can find work in Spain. If they succeed, their right to stay in the country will be extended.
The improvement of the law on foreigners in Spain is given great importance, as the number of foreign citizens living and working in the country is growing rapidly. According to experts, the new law should help regulate the flow of illegal workers, which is growing and threatens to become a serious socio-political problem.
It should also be noted that the new law for the first time provides for the automatic issuance of visas to children and grandchildren of Spaniards living abroad. Analysts note in this connection as a positive fact that the ruling conservative party made concessions to the opposition, although it had previously rejected most of its amendments. The new law was also supported by representatives of the nationalist party ruling in Catalonia. Only the coalition 'United Left' sharply opposed it.