The Spanish government is set to approve measures to extend residence and work permits for immigrants affected by the devastating storm that hit Valencia and other regions in late 2024. These measures aim to prevent migrants from falling into irregular status due to job losses or other disruptions caused by the disaster.

The plan includes automatic extensions for permits expiring between July 2024 and April 2025, with a focus on simplifying processes and offering free, prioritized applications.

However, the initiative will only benefit those with legal status or pending authorizations, leaving undocumented migrants in a precarious situation.

Advocacy groups have called for broader measures to include irregular migrants, but the government has yet to commit to such steps.

The move highlights ongoing challenges in balancing humanitarian needs with legal frameworks.