Why We Must Look to Spain for Immigration Reform—and How My Green Marshall Plan Will Secure America’s Future
Dear Friends and Supporters,
America stands at a crossroads. We are facing a demographic challenge similar to that of Spain: an aging population, declining birth rates, and the urgent need to rejuvenate our communities and economy. As your candidate for Congress, I believe that we must look beyond our borders for innovative solutions—and Spain’s recent approach to immigration offers powerful lessons that can help us build a more prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable future.
Spain’s Demographic Dilemma—and Their Solution
Spain, like the United States, has witnessed significant population aging. Its birth rate is one of the lowest in the European Union. Many rural regions have seen their populations dwindle, leading to a phenomenon known as “Emptied Spain.” The resulting imbalance threatens the vibrancy of communities, the sustainability of public services, and the long-term health of the economy.
Rather than accepting decline, Spain has embraced immigration as a lifeline. The Spanish government actively promotes the repopulation of rural areas by welcoming immigrants—not through coercion, but by funding local initiatives that provide language training, healthcare access, and support for education. Immigrants are taking over essential businesses and services, breathing new life into villages that were on the brink of disappearance. This strategy isn’t just about numbers—it’s about preserving community, stabilizing the population structure, and driving economic growth.
Economic and Social Benefits
Foreign-born workers have become the backbone of Spain’s rapidly growing advanced economy, offsetting the impacts of an aging native workforce. By integrating newcomers into the fabric of rural life, Spain is not only maintaining its population pyramid but also ensuring that economic opportunity is spread more evenly across the country. These efforts demonstrate that, when managed thoughtfully, immigration is not a burden—but a critical investment in the nation’s future.
Challenges and Political Realities
Of course, this approach is not without its challenges. The concentration of new arrivals in major cities like Madrid and Barcelona has increased housing costs and strained infrastructure, leading to public grievances and political polarization. Right-wing parties have seized on these tensions, pushing for restrictive “national priority” policies and challenging the government’s progressive approach to migrant amnesties.
Spain’s response has been to double down on investment in rural projects, aiming to balance the pressures on urban centers with new opportunities in the provinces. By incentivizing settlement in underpopulated areas, Spain is defusing political flashpoints and ensuring that the benefits of immigration are felt nationwide.
Learning from Europe’s Mistakes: The Ceuta Crisis
Recent events in Spain’s North African exclave, Ceuta, have revealed the dangers of allowing migration policy to become a tool for political theater. Neighboring countries have weaponized migration flows to exert pressure on Spain and the broader European Union. Within the EU, nationalist factions have used these crises to scapegoat leaders, fuel division, and undermine collective solutions. The lesson here is clear: when we allow fear and polarization to dictate policy, we all lose.
Heather McGhee’s “Solidarity Dividend” in Action
We don’t have to look to Europe alone for inspiration. Heather McGhee, author and advocate, points to places like Lewiston, Maine, where immigrants have turned a struggling town into a thriving, dynamic community. She calls this the “Solidarity Dividend”—the tangible benefits that arise when we come together across lines of difference to solve shared problems. Bringing undocumented folks out of the shadows, integrating them fully into our society, and investing in their success is not just the right thing to do—it is the smart thing to do for all of us.
My Vision: A Green Marshall Plan for America and the Hemisphere
This is why I am running for Congress on a platform that includes a bold “Green Marshall Plan.” My plan is built on two key pillars:
Universal Basic Income (UBI): As we confront economic and demographic shifts, a guaranteed income will ensure that no one is left behind—native-born and immigrant alike. UBI will provide a safety net as we transition to a clean, green economy, empowering families to thrive and communities to rebuild.
Environmental and Ecological Justice: My Green Marshall Plan recognizes that climate change and environmental degradation are already driving migration across the Western Hemisphere. We must invest in infrastructure and sustainable development that not only helps people stay and prosper in their home countries, but also prepares us for the inevitable challenges ahead. By building clean energy systems, resilient farms, and inclusive communities throughout the Americas, we can reduce the pressures that force people to migrate while ensuring a brighter future for all.
A Call to Action
We have a choice: to repeat the mistakes of a divided Europe, or to lead with vision and compassion. The United States can draw inspiration from Spain’s integration efforts and Heather McGhee’s solidarity principles to craft a comprehensive immigration reform that works for everyone. By embracing newcomers, investing in rural and urban communities, and tackling climate change head-on, we can secure America’s prosperity for generations to come.
Join me in building a future where every person—regardless of where they were born—has the opportunity to contribute, succeed, and belong. Together, let’s make history.
With hope and determination,
Gamy Enriquez, MPA
Candidate for Congress
Sources:
"Spain’s Population Pyramids: The End of a Miracle," The Economist, June 24, 2023.
"How Immigration Saved Rural Spain," Politico Europe, January 18, 2022.
"Spain’s Rural Areas Look to Immigrants as Populations Dwindle," The New York Times, April 17, 2023.
"Ceuta: Spain’s Exclave and the EU’s Border Crisis," BBC News, May 20, 2021.
Heather McGhee, The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together (2021).
"How Somali Immigrants Transformed a Maine Town," NPR, August 18, 2019.
