Spain’s geographical location: in the southwestern Europe

Spain is part of the Iberian Peninsula. Its geographical location and history are crucial in

the migratory phenomenon.

Pictures of Spain in the ’60s

Spain was a country of emigrants.

Major migration from Spain to Europe in the years 1960-1973

In the ’60s, Spanish emigrants were going primarily to West Germany, Switzerland and France.

Since the ‘90s, Spain becomes a country of immigrants. Reasons:

- Consolidation of the democracy.- Integration into the EU.- Economic Development.

Its geographical location explains the origins of immigrants. They are mainly:

a) Africans : because Spain is one of the bridges between Europe and Africa (Spain and Africa are separeted by only 13 km: Strait of Gibraltar). b) Eastern Europeans because Spain is a Mediterranean country.c) Hispanics: because of historical reasons.

Irregular immigrants arriving to a spanish coast in small boats

Diversity of cultures in Spain

The regular and irregular immigration are contributing to the rejuvenation of Spanish

population.

Evolution of foreign residents number

In the bar chart, we can see that in 7 years the foreign population in Spain increased significantly (it has nearly quintupled).

REGULAR AND IRREGULAR IMMIGRANTS COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN IN THE BEGINNING OF XXIst CENTURY.

IRREGULAR IMMIGRATION SUMMING-UP FROM SPANISH HOME OFFICE

Due to the current economic crisis, irregular immigration is becoming a problem for Spanish

authorities.

Since 2006, the irregular immigration begins to decline as seen in the graphs and data from the Spanish Home Office. The causes of the decline of irregular immigrants are:

- The economic crisis and, as a result of it, the lack of work.- The increase of surveillance measures and border controls.-The increase of the number of police officers.- The pressure from the European Union to control immigration.

Comparative report of repatriations (2006/2007)

Comparative report of repatriations (2007/2008)

Repatriation of irregular immigrants (2008/2009) The number of repatriations decreases due to the decrease of irregular immigrants arrivals to

Spain.

LEY ORGANICA 7/1985, de 1 de julio, sobre derechos y libertades de los extranjeros en España.

LEY ORGÁNICA 4/2000, de 11 de enero, sobre derechos y libertades de los extranjeros en España y su integración social

LEY ORGÁNICA 8/2000, de 22 de diciembre, de reforma de la Ley Orgánica 4/2000, de 11 de enero, sobre derechos y libertades de los extranjeros en España y su integración social.

LEY ORGÁNICA 14/2003, de 20 de noviembre, de Reforma de la Ley orgánica 4/2000, de 11 de enero, sobre derechos y libertades de los extranjeros en España y su integración social, modificada por la Ley Orgánica 8/2000, de 22 de diciembre.

LEY ORGÁNICA 2/2009, de 11 de diciembre, de reforma de la Ley Orgánica 4/2000, de 11 de enero, sobre derechos y libertades de los extranjeros en España y su integración social.

Spain has become a multicultural country