In anticipation of the extraordinary immigrant regularization process in Spain, promoted by the Government of Pedro Sánchez, social entities and NGOs in the archipelago are preparing to play a crucial role in managing applications. The primary goal is to provide the necessary “management muscle” to prevent the collapse of a system that must handle between 30,000 and 45,000 requests in the Canary Islands by June 30, a figure significantly higher than the 7,825 from the previous year.
The contribution of these organizations not only seeks to alleviate the administrative burden but also to prevent economic abuses in charging for immigrant paperwork. Marcela Máspero, president of the Asociación Social Solidaridad Venezuela, has denounced a situation of exploitation and misinformation, pointing to intermediaries who profit from migrants' vulnerability, charging between 500 and 600 euros for a “spot” in the regularization process, even before the official decree was published in the Official State Gazette (BOE).
“"There are lawyers charging between 500 and 600 euros for a 'spot' for extraordinary regularization. The most serious part is that these charges have been happening for months, even before the official decree was published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) that will establish how this massive regularization will proceed."
To combat these abuses, Máspero's association has officially registered as a collaborating entity. This accreditation allows them to act as an auxiliary registry, preparing and sending files directly to the Immigration platform, thus offering a safe and free channel for migrants. This process coincides with the abolition, also on June 30, of the exceptional humanitarian residence mechanism for Venezuelan citizens, in force since 2018, which has benefited some 240,000 people in Spain. In the Canary Islands, more than 8,000 files through this route are still pending.
The legal basis for this collaboration by NGOs and unions is found in the Order of March 2 of this year, published in the BOE, which regulates the Electronic Registry of Immigration Collaborators. This regulation allows non-profit entities, with at least three years of existence and two years of demonstrable experience in assisting migrants, to register to act as legal representatives in submitting procedures. Juan Carlos Lorenzo, coordinator of the Spanish Commission for Refugee Aid (CEAR) in the Canary Islands, highlights that entities like CEAR have already registered under this new decree to inform, advise, and, most importantly, formally process applications.
The figure of the “collaborator” is essential, according to Lorenzo, as it ensures that documentation reaches the administration in a “filtered” and “refined” manner, with all technical requirements already verified by experts. This significantly reduces errors that cause administrative delays. Previously, associations only offered advice and accompaniment, but now, under this new legal framework, they can carry out the formal electronic processing on behalf of the migrant. Registration in this registry is initially valid for four years and requires entities to maintain an updated census of their authorized personnel, in addition to having civil liability insurance.
In addition to collaborating entities, the Government has indicated that Social Security and Post Office branches will be enabled to ease the burden on Immigration, although regulation on this is still pending. The time factor is a key concern for social entities in the Canary Islands, as the initial deadline for the process was from April 1 to June 30, and approval of the final text of the Royal Decree regulating the final details is still awaited, unofficially expected for the Council of Ministers on April 21. The draft contemplates a timeline of 15 days for initial verification and a definitive resolution within three months, granting a one-year residence and work permit.
