One Million Colombians
According to recent data, more than one million people born in Colombia reside in Spain, making this community the largest of all foreign communities. Many of these Colombians have already acquired Spanish nationality, so they are not listed as foreigners but as Spaniards. As such, they have identical rights to any other Spaniard. Many others, with and without papers, are still listed as foreigners, thus lacking certain rights. Those who are in a regular situation lack political rights (as I did when I lived in Colombia). Those who are in an irregular situation face a much more complex reality, working in the underground economy, with their labor rights greatly curtailed, but enjoying some social rights, particularly health and, if they have children, children's education.
TL;DR
- The Colombian community in Spain has surpassed one million people, making it the largest foreign group.
- Many Colombians have acquired Spanish nationality, granting them full rights, while others remain foreigners with varying degrees of rights.
- Regularly residing Colombians lack political rights, while irregular migrants face challenges in the underground economy but have access to social rights like healthcare and education for children.
- Spain's population has grown to nearly 50 million in the last 25 years, with 20% born abroad, predominantly from Latin America, with Colombia being the fastest-growing community.
- Factors driving Colombian migration include historical violence and unfulfilled aspirations for a middle-class life in Colombia.
- Colombians often fill lower-skilled jobs in Spain but contribute to the economy and eventually integrate into the middle class.
- Spain benefits economically from this immigration and, currently, does not exhibit significant social rejection towards Latin American immigrants.