Sánchez Stands Out Again With Spain’s Big Bet on Immigrants

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is pursuing a bold gamble that the benefits of embracing swathes of undocumented immigrants will make the inevitable backlash worthwhile.

With an election due within 1 1/2 years, his move last week to legitimize the residency of half a million foreigners amounts to a grand bet that the gains will pay off both for the economy, and for his standing among voters in defying the global tone set by US President Donald Trump.

While the measure lets Sánchez appear decisive while leaning into a driver of Spain’s growth success, the premier knows too ...