The Spanish government's proposal for extraordinary regularization of immigrants has raised significant legal concerns, particularly regarding how it will address the status of immigrants who have criminal records or have been subjects of police investigations. Legal experts warn that the government's definition of 'threat to public safety' as a reason for denial could be vague and lead to arbitrary decisions. Furthermore, they emphasize the complications surrounding the cancellation of criminal records, which will affect many individuals seeking regularization.

The proposal suggests that immigrants with definitive criminal records are automatically excluded from the regularization process, unless their records can be canceled. This cancellation is not straightforward, as it will depend on the discretion of the relevant Foreigners Office, which will assess individuals based on police reports. There are concerns that this could lead to long delays and uncertainties for those with only minor criminal or police records.

In light of these issues, lawyers are advocating for changes in the government's approach to ensure a clearer, fairer procedure that truly reflects an individual's contribution to society rather than just past mistakes. The implications of the proposed measure are far-reaching, potentially impacting thousands of immigrants and their ability to integrate into Spanish society, and creating a complex intersection of immigration law and public safety considerations.