The decision to exclude stateless persons from the new migrant regularization process has generated deep discomfort among the Sahrawi community residing in the Valencian Community. This measure affects approximately 400 people in the Valencian territory and around 2,100 throughout Spain, reopening the debate on the Western Sahara conflict.
“"When we heard the news of the regularization, we were very happy because my Sahrawi brothers could finally regularize their situation. For us, it is another betrayal."
Initially, the news of the regularization was received with hope by the community, but this expectation was dashed upon learning the details of the regulations. According to close sources, the majority of people applying for statelessness are Sahrawis, and this exclusion is perceived as a political gesture to appease Morocco.
An immigration lawyer has warned that the regulations create unequal treatment, as all applicants for international protection are included in the regularization decree, except for Sahrawi individuals. From a legal point of view, categorizing or favoring some migrants over others makes no sense and is not sustainable.
This situation reopens the debate on Spain's historical responsibility with Western Sahara, a former colony until 1975, when Morocco occupied the territory. Since then, the conflict remains open between the Alawite kingdom and the Polisario Front, which claims independence. For the Sahrawi community, this exclusion represents another setback after decades of uncertainty.
