regularizadas

Regularizadas is the feminine plural form of the adjective regularizada in Spanish and Portuguese, and can also function as a noun to refer to people whose immigration or residency status has been made regular. The term is commonly used in discussions of migratory law and administrative processes that convert an irregular situation into a legal one.

In legal and administrative contexts, regularización or regularização refers to formal steps that grant residence, work authorization, or other legal rights to individuals living in a country. Those who complete such processes are described as regularizadas, and they typically acquire access to protections and services connected to legal status, such as employment rights, healthcare, education, and social benefits. Regularización programs may be triggered by specific procedures, such as family reunification, asylum or refugee status, long-term residency, or labor-based applications. Some governments have implemented regularización extraordinaria programs designed to convert large numbers of irregular residents into regularized status.

The concept is widely debated. Supporters argue that regularización improves protection against exploitation, clarifies labor markets, and fosters social integration. Critics contend that it may create irregular incentives, concerns about fairness, or challenges in program design and resource allocation. The term is used across Latin America and Iberian countries, with variations in scope, eligibility criteria, and impact depending on national law and policy.

See also: regularización migratoria, regularización de extranjeros.