I was once an undocumented migrant in Spain – this new decree will change lives | Francheska Melendez

Spain's economic growth is significantly fueled by the contributions of migrant workers. The author, a US citizen with a different perspective, moved to Madrid. Initially, she anticipated an easy transition, even considering undocumented status after her visa expired. The breakup with her boyfriend brought the author's vulnerability to the foreground, far away from her support system. She experienced a police raid impacting street vendors, the "manteros," often from sub-Saharan Africa. The author reflects on her own immigrant experience and the situation of others. She acknowledges the privileges of her US passport in comparison. The Spanish government's potential regularization of 500,000 migrants is a positive humanitarian step. This move is more valuable than any economic gains. Francheska Melendez, a freelance journalist, provides this perspective from Madrid.