A Path to Spanish Citizenship: Motivations and Experiences Under Spain’s Democratic Memory Law
In 2022, Spain enacted the Democratic Memory Law to allow children and grandchildren of Spanish citizens who lost or renounced their nationality due to political, ideological or religious reasons to recover Spanish citizenship “by origin.” Set to expire in October 22, 2025, consulates had received 876,321 applications by July 31, 2025. Over 95% of applications have been received though the Spanish consular offices in Latin America and Miami.
Focusing on the 8 Spanish consulates in the United States (Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco, and San Juan), our study examines the motivations and experiences of individuals applying for Spanish citizenship “by origin.” More specifically, the study addresses two questions: (1) What motivates applicants to seek Spanish citizenship? and (2) How do applicants navigate and experience the application process?
People
Principal Investigator
Nilda Flores-Gonzalez
Professor, T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics, Arizona State University
Co-Principal Investigator
Marisa Alicea
Professor of Sociology, School of Continuing and Professional Studies, DePaul University
Co-Principal Investigator
Maura Toro-Morn
Professor, Department of Sociology and Anthropology and Director of the Latin American and Latino Studies Program., Illinois State University
Research Assistant
Aaron Thompson
Graduate Student
Michael Sanchez