Daniel has lived in Spain for 17 years, arriving at 21. Yet despite the long tenure, the sense of being rooted enough to secure paperwork never fully materialized. A woman from Venezuela arrived in 2005, weeks after a major reorganization of immigrant regulations in the country. He recalls the advice given: stay put, because someone else might be in the spotlight.
But there was no easy alternative. Those who came from that place faced strict requirements, often described as social roots, the gateway to formal documents for many irregular migrants in Spain. The entry process can be boiled down to two conditions: three years of residency and a full-time contract for a year, a standard not even many Spaniards consistently meet.
In practice this means two things. First, there is a scramble to survive in a bad economy and bureaucratic chaos, enduring low wages, long workdays whether in domestic work or field labor, and the constant risk of a deportation order if authorities take an interest. Second, securing a yearly full-time contract becomes essential, and sometimes it simply isn’t possible.
Daniela, a fictional name used to protect identities, admits paying social security twice in a year to establish social roots. The second payment came in 2016. She worked caring for children of affluent urbanites, careful not to fall afoul of the terms of her agreement.
Eventually a family agreement was reached that allowed work in the afternoons under a full-time, one-year contract. The catch: social security contributions had to be paid in full. That pathway built social roots a second time. The first moment came back in 2010 when she worked independently as a web page programmer, earning far less than 300 euros for a full day of work. It was a learning curve, a price paid for rooting oneself in the system.
Between arrangements, there was a season in Venezuela that helped preserve her documents. Another important rule stood out: spending more than six months abroad can jeopardize status, even after 17 years in the country. She regained status after a second attempt, only to lose it again during the pandemic when renewal was delayed by 16 days.
Today Daniela faces a deportation order to Venezuela, despite spending nearly half of her life in Spain. The prospect feels devastating. She explains that family and friends are no longer in Spain, and she would be sent to a country she barely knows after so many years residing there. She reflects that the choice to root in Spain often feels like the only viable option, even though the clock is ticking.
While she does not seize on boasting, Daniela notes that paying social security for a year is a common strategy used by many immigrants to obtain documents. She points out that women often perform domestic work, which can be portrayed as the only feasible path, while men encounter different pressures. If authorities approach them, they might be asked for documents and could be sent back to their country. The impression she shares is that those who stay in the background may fare better than those who speak up, a reality that affects the choices of many workers.
fear of consequences
The name Daniela is fictional to protect her privacy, yet the interview remains unsettling. The conversation feels like a warning about doors that could close for others who come after. Daniela describes how some employers may hesitate to expand who they know, and the fear of exposing others grows. She suggests that even when a contract exists, there is a risk that it could be overturned or misunderstood, which would jeopardize access to documents for future arrivals.
She also notes that some employers may take risks to help workers, while the most legitimate options continue to be pursued. There are stories of women who attempt to cheat or maneuver into relationships with older partners, but she emphasizes that she had a signed contract, showed integration, and proved she contributed to the workforce. The sense is that some arrangements might be seen as legitimate while others are not, making lives complicated for many who rely on such channels.
In Daniela’s view, the regulations around document access feel like an obstacle course. Many people must work with or without social security contributions, choosing between rooting themselves in Spain or seeking documents elsewhere. Yet life presses on. She recalls not receiving assistance from public services, and how these processes often complicate ordinary living. The experience underscores how difficult it can be to navigate the system while trying to build a life.