I guess people forgot about the inquisition, expulsion of Jews etc. in this country's history.
30
As someone who lives in Spain I would say that it isn't exactly a paradise of religious tolerance. The Catholic Church is very powerful here and outside of large cities there is plenty of intolerance and prejudice. That said, Spain is exponentially less violent than the US.
68
There is plenty of intolerance and prejudice all over Europe. However, Spain is a long way from its pre-republic monarchy and Franco eras. The Church, still influential, doesn’t have near the destructive power it had then.
28
Whether you’re Hispanic, Jewish or some other minority, it’s clear that the US no longer welcomes us. I recently moved to Africa because I feel the US is not safe for people like me.
42
Reading comments here have been to me ... somewhat fascinating though sad too.
I sense irony and tragedy, such is life. History and anthropology with X
8
Spain should do this for the Muslims it expelled as well.
45
Let me get this straight: jews are leaving the antisemitic USA for the land of the Spanish Inquisition?
36
Yes, the land of the Spanish Inquisition is attuning for its sins!
29
An interestng article. My parents were both born in Poland, and Polish law allows me to claim citizenship there. Despite the EU passport, I still consider Poland a Jewish graveyard and a place to be from, and not to go to. If i ever feel the need to leave the USA, and I doubt it, I will take advantage of the Law of Return and go to Israel instead of Poland.
66
Spain is one of the Spain is the most anti-Semitic country in western Europe.
28
This seems like something that will turn around and bite them in the long run.
19
Once you reclaim your Spanish citizenship, then the whole EU is yours......
78
Why did the author find it necessary to describe Nuevo Leon as a prosperous state? Is it because he is writing about Jews? I find this offensive.
7
To state contrast with the previous group described as fleeing economic crisis.
31
Obviously most, if not all, of these descendants aren't Jewish at all. Some descendants of conversos convert back to Judaism, but very few, so these Hispanics are seeking a loophole to get out of here if need be.
A quicker route for Hispanics fleeing central America is to trace their possible Jewish ancestry and then apply for Spanish citizenship. Spain would then be overwhelmed with applicants, and start scrutinizing more. Having a tiny percentage of Jewish ancestry as a means of getting citizenship to Spain is absurd. This was really earmarked for actual Jews with Sephardic roots, which can be impossible to prove. Both my husband and I have the tradition of the same, but go trace back every generation, and for what. No interest in ever living in Spain. Wouldn't mind touring, once.
20
Concerned Hispanics could strike a blow against Trumpismo without leaving the country.
If every Hispanic in Texas voted against Ted Cruz, they would defeat his crazy extremism.
If every Hispanic in Arizona voted for Sinema, they could defeat Trump acolyte Martha McSally.
If every Hispanic in Nevada voted against Trump enabler Dean Heller, they could likewise weaken the Administration that threatens them every day.
Hispanics hold one of the keys to defeating Trumpismo, but have among the lowest participation rates in the country.
Leave it you must, but before you do, vote to defeat the scourge of Trumpismo.
135
Nothing new in your report and nothing to do with President Trump.
Most ‘conversos’ in the US southwest are ethnically ‘white’ people who never had any affinities with Hispanics. I know this because of personal experience. And I don’t understand why you write that they feel ‘discriminated’.
Starting in the mid-1980s, in Santa Fe and around Albuquerque, people with Spanish surnames started showing proud testimonials of Iberian descent claiming kinship with Jewish victims of the Inquisition in Spain. Perhaps these crypto-Jews are finally fulfilling the wishes of their ancestors - returning home to ‘Sepharad’.
I know Americans will even blame Mr. Trump for bad weather. But instead of blaming the president, shouldn’t you give credit to Spain for enticing these people back with its nice European life style and great social benefits?
https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-21631427
24
Spain is a lovely place to retire and travel with American dollars, and a terrible place to work and live with euros. Caveat emptor.
43
Most of my mother's family in Venezuela have acquired their Spanish citizenship - and passport - by tracing their Jewish ancestry. Our family is dutifully Catholic, but we knew there were Jewish members in our history. With the enthusiastic help of their local rabbis they have been able to trace their Jewish ancestry to Spain. Some have already emigrated there. For the ones that remain in Venezuela, I believe that these passports and citizenship may ultimately save their lives when Venezuela finally falls apart. Ironic, isn't it? And I will pursue my own in light of our own political climate.
35
I am sure the convenience of having a second passport and Spain's lower taxes has nothing to do with this.
It's all racism, yeah that's it.
16
“The Spanish law does not require applicants to give up their existing citizenship and they do not have to be practicing Jews, but they must have their Sephardic ancestry confirmed by established Jewish organizations and pass demanding language and civics exams.”
Law? What do Pueblo Sin Fronteras care about law? That is sooo xenophobic for Spain to have demanding language and civics exams for people who just want a better life for their families.
Do they HAVE to prove Sephardic ancestry and all of that other stuff? Can’t they just hop into Spain and declare they are Spanish citizens? Spain seems very unreasonable.
15
I was in Spain and Portugal last year. The anti-semitism is overt and everywhere. The main synagogue in Lisbon has its entrance hidden from the street to make it less conspicuous. Men are advised, as in France, not to wear a yarmulke on the street for fear of being attacked. The premise of this article is ridiculous.
55
Dear God, don't do it. I'm an American who's lived in Spain, retired, for the last 3 years. If you're Hispanic living in the US, don't think for a second that things will be better in Spain. The country is burdened with epic corruption in the government and every day life. Unemployment among those under 30 is over 20%, and that's after more than 25% percent (the brightest, most educated ones) have fled the country to live in better places in northern Europe. Your prospects of having a decent life, similar to anything possible in the US is dismal. The average wage is one of the lowest in Europe, and the median household income is about 1/3 of the US. Equally horrible to the corruption is the crushing scoliotic bureaucracy that permeates everyday living. Some of the reasons they are the poorest and least productive people in Europe is that throughout Spain, they shut down everyday between 1:30 and 5 to have "lunch", and have about 30 public holidays every year, on top of completely shutting down for entire month of August, and the 2 weeks leading up to it, and the 2 weeks after it. It's absolute madness. 20% of the country is in poverty by Spanish measurements, but more that 50% by American standards. Don't do it, Don't do it, Don't do it. If you do, within months you'll regret it. And if your young, thinking about a family, you'll doom your children to a hostile non-English speaking world that will cripple them and their ability to cope with, and live in, the 21st century.
61
I would like to leave and live in a country that has universal health care, which is every first world country but the U.S. I'm tired of this country's meanspiritedness. I'm tired of this country's rampant narcissism. Other first-world countries have flaws, but only the U.S. is downright proud that 25 percent of the entire population is on Medicaid and can't get proper health care. And downright proud that another gargantuan percentage of U.S. citizens are uninsured and can't get any health care. We're proud to harm the other, not ashamed. Most of us are, in fact, the other.
68
For similar reasons, many also pursuing German citizenship.
12
(a) since Hispanics are not a race, one can not be “racist” against them;
(b) the woman is absolutely delusional is she believes that there has been “resurgent racism” in the US; it simply does not exist;
(c) that said, the US is far better off if everyone who believes, as this woman does, that “resurgent racism” actually exists, leaves. She will not be missed.
(Incidentally, wouldn't it be great if the US imposed "demanding language and civics exams" as a condition of moving here?)
24
@Brenda...You must be blind, or lost, not sure which one. Racism is alive and well and aimed at African American and Latino/Latina/Chicano/Chicana pretty much every day they step outside their home. Want a loan? If you are white, no problem, if you are Black or Hispanic, nope, sorry, or, lets make them jump through all these hoops to prove who they are and their income, the white person, fill out this form, great you are approved. White person, walks into a store, no one blinks an eye...a Black Man walks into a store, even if he has a child with him, he's followed, and watched, and if takes to long, he's asked "can I help you find anything" and or "asked to leave" for wanting to window shop. Speaking of the same Black Man, get in the car with him, and drive around at night, that Black Man, has probably been pulled over at least 1/4 of the time he's driven somewhere, and submitted to being pulled out of the car, patted down, arrested on trumped up charges, or at least, treated unprofessionally by a cop at the side of the road, or worse, pulled out of the car and killed for "not cooperating" my friend won't let her son drive at all because she's afraid he's not going to come home. So If you say Racism doesn't exist, I suggest you pull the Wool off you have pulled over your eyes, and look around you!
116
This is absolutely wonderful. Solamente en Nuevo Mexico, la Tierra encantada! These are the connexions that make all of us stronger. Now, if the Chile Institute can establish a co-operative institution in Spain to develop and grow chile verde, everything will be perfect!
4
My son is the grandson of a Spanish political refugee, so he is a citizen of Spain/Eu as well as a US citizen. I'm glad he has the option to leave this country with his family if things get even worse here.
18
They’re not going to escape anti-semitism in Spain or Europe - the same story of previously-maligned far-right elements remerging into the public eye that is happening in the US is being mirrored in Europe.
28
"traced her Sephardic ancestry all the way to Juan de Vitoria Carvajal, a member of the Spanish expedition that conquered New Mexico in 1598."
These families have been in New Mexico long before the racists arrived,
They belong there, the racists do not
56
My family fits exactly into the context and profile of this piece. Yet neither I nor any of my siblings have ever experienced any of the fear expressed by the selected interviewees. We've lived very good and active lives here in New Mexico for several generations and can't imagine leaving.
29
It deeply offends me when someone discloses they hold dual citizenship with USA and another country. It strikes me as so disloyal. People die trying to come to USA and for a US citizen to pledge allegiance to another country rubs me the wrong way.
13
@Anthill Atoms As disloyal to which country, the other country, or the USA? The problem with your view is that its black and white thinking, all or nothing. We live on one planet. There is one human race. And nationalism is a 150 year old idea. These folk returning to Spain, return to what was at the time a Kingdom of various peoples, Jews, Muslims, Catholics, Catalan, Basque, Andalucians...Dude, get out and travel, the rest of the world is a very interesting place. There is no valid reason for NOT having dual citizenship. Nothing disloyal about it...
60
@Anthill Atoms That is too bad. Citizenry isn't always loyalty, even if one maintians single citizenry.
25
@Anthill Atoms When a military veteran, someone by definition willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for his country, decides to seek foreign citizenship that he is entitled to, know that something is seriously wrong in the country and society.
This isn't about loyalty. Where were the cries about loyalty when Tina Turner relinquished her US citizenship, or Michelle Bachman's kids renewed their swiss passports?
This is about the US no longer being the safe haven minorities (religious, ethinic and sexual) thought it would always be.
If you want people to stop seeking a back-up plan, maybe we should work on toning down the rhetoric that makes them think they should...
65
Oh how I envy them, my heritage is Ashkenazim, if it was Shephardic I would be in Valencia now, on the beach, even though I am not Hispanic. I am a third generation Californian, grew up and worked with Many Mexicans over the years. Spain is still a Catholic country, but my experiences there have all been positive. Same for Portugal, friendly happy[y people.
29
"...Mr. Trump’s 2017 remarks that there were “some very fine people” among the white nationalists..." Yes this comment of his has continued to upset me. I don't know how any person could claim that there were nice people in a group of white nationalists who think that anyone who isn't white and Christian is worth killing or discriminating against just to do it.
I hope that the GOP and Trump realize that the brain drain is beginning because the people here who are planning to leave are some of the best and brightest. Our country will be poorer for losing these people. Trump can keep on claiming he likes Jews because his son-in-law is Jewish and his daughter converted to Judaism but that's window dressing. Trump loves himself and cares nothing for anyone or anything outside of himself. The same can be said for the GOP and its supporters.
39
It is an incredible irony that Jews in the once most desired haven, the United States, now feel threatened enough to move to Spain with its horrific inquisition past. '
Wonder how this will play out over the coming years, but the biggest question is .,.how bad will nationalism, racism and antisemitism become,
80
@Ira Cohen, yeah, but dont forget Ira, that Spain, under Muslim rule, was for most of its time, that "most desired haven", as was the Polish-Lithuanian Commenwealth for much of 700 years as well....
16
@Ira Cohen
These people are not Jews. They are hispanic with Jewish ancestry (500 years ago).
There moving has nothing to do with antisemitism. Them having Jewish ancestors is just a mechanism allowing them to move to Spain.
32
@Ira Cohen, Today there are many people of Jewish ancestry who are leaving Europe, especially France, and going to live in Israel. Parts of Europe are getting more dangerous for them.
19
This article made me chuckle. As a Hispanic with Jewish family, I have never felt more proud and excited about the path this country is taking with the Trump Administration. If there is growing anti-semitism it is not in the U.S, but in Europe! (See Paris, London)
21
@Jaime Rodriguez So you think the cold blooded murder of 11 people two weeks ago and the 50% rise in antisemitic incidents over the last two years (according to the Anti-Defamation League) are in no way evidence of growing anti-semitism in the US?
31
@Jaime Rodriguez You're just not paying attention if you think it's not happening here. >60% of all hate crimes reported in the U.S. are anti-semitic in origin.
25
@Jaime Rodriguez Did you somehow miss what happened in Pittsburgh about 10 days ago? A gunman walked into a synagogue and shot Jews, specifically saying he wanted to kill all Jews. Hate crimes against Jews have increased more in this country than those against any other group, including Muslims and Latinos, since Trump was elected. Talk abut clueless!
35
I have known people from Ecuador and Mexico who have been to Spain. There is definitely racism toward latino immigrants there. Is this like those celebrities who were going to leave the US if Trump got elected? Check out the "paro" (unemployment) level first.
25
@JC maybe so, but they will have free health insurance that will provide any needed medical treatment for life, including cancer treatments, organ transplants and prostetics, and free education, university included. Not too bad, I think
16
If today's election does not reverse the current trend toward xenophobic autocracy, how many of us — Jew and non-Jew alike — will be looking for alternatives to our now-destroyed country? Who among us wants to be like the Jews who waited too long in Nazi Germany? As a 73-year old descendant of Polish Ashkenazi Jews the only place I can go is Israel, which is on a worse course than the US. What a sad way for me and my cohort to live our final years.
43
Although I'm not jewish, I do understand the concerns of this community in seeking safe refuge in Spain. I had the opportunity to visit the concentration camp in Dachau, Germany and also to study in great detail how the prosecution of this community and millions of others who were slaughtered by the Nazis. The rhetoric back in the 1920s & 1930s began the same way, "demonizing communists, jews, and others". Trump began his attacks with the Mexicans and has tacitly and explicitly encouraged Nazis. The german society never thought Hitler would go that far and when it realize he was a threat to its democracy, it was too late. Currently, people do not take Trump seriously and that is a big mistake. I migrated from Colombia in 1989 and since Trump's rise to power, I have experienced occasionally instances of racial discrimination. However, in my case, I do not believe the answer is to pack my bags and split. I love this country, my country and I'm proud to be an American. We have to unite and stand against bigotry and hate. I think the jewish community needs to unite and seek support from other communities in order to confront antisemitism. You are not a victim anymore! you need to stand your ground! We need to vote, we need to be active to rescue our democracy. Do not give up! you are not alone anymore!
47
@Alvaro Gonzalez
Alvaro, your heart is in the right place, and I bet you're a very decent person. But when you say "you are not a victim anymore! you need to stand your ground! We need to vote", you can tell that to the 11 dead in Pittsburgh. For every incident that attracts attention like that, there are 1000 other smaller, less deadly daily events for Jewish people today (and let's not forget about other minorities, too). I'm writing this from Spain, where I feel a lot safer. That's just my experience.
8
These people are not leaving America because of antisemitism.
They are leaving America (and other countries) because of anti-Hispanic animus and other opportunities in Spain/Europe.
This has nothing to do with antisemitism.
45
"We are leaving, You don't need us" - Stephen Stills
5
Been to Spain a number of times, been to Euro countries bordering the Med 32 times. Great climate (so far), great food, good health care, quality of life depends, like here, on your income. But don’t think you’ll avoid racism or xenophobia or machismo issues. Depending on how urban or rural is your destination, you’ll always be the the “Americans” or inglesados. And, if the problems facing Muslims there are like those facing them in France, you’ll face an existential risk depending on how you declare your Jewishness. Seeming to successfully meld or ‘pass’ in a culture that you KNOW you have no childhood history in can be attractive and feel novel but it’s an illusion. It may make economic sense but don’t think it’s a psychological refuge.
55
Perhaps Israel is an option except that the ultra Orthodox may deny entry to any Jewish person who doesn't adhere to their religious beliefs and practices.
15
@Alan J. Shaw Messianic Jews (those who believe in Jesus) are not entitled to obtain a Jewish nationality. Shame on Israel.
7
@Alan J. Shaw
That is so false. Anyone who is Jewish by birth, or converted, even by a non-orthodox rabbi, is accepted by Israel, regardless of religious practice. Only messianic Jews are barred. Why you put in your remark is beyond me. Are you so unaware, or are purposefully trying to inflame disdain of orthodox Jews. Shameful either way.
15
@Alan J. Shaw: NOPE! -- Israel offers the "right of return" to any Jew who can establish that at least one grandparent was Jewish. You do not have to be a practicing Jew, you do not have to be Orthodox whatsoever.
MOST Israeli Jews are secular Jews -- not even REFORM, let alone Orthodox.
There is no mandatory attendance at any synagogue, no requirement to wear a yarmulke -- no requirement to keep kosher.
19
Jews doing what they have done for centuries -- getting out while the getting is good. My grandparents fled pogroms in Europe for the United States.
Remember the Haggadah -- our retelling of the Exodus -- says to "remember the stranger for you were strangers in Egypt."
Trump and his ilk may be coming for brown people now, but we know how this story goes, we've seen it before.
111
@Flick Lives
These people are not Jews. They have one or several Jewish ancestors from nearly 500 years in the past. They are no more Jewish than they are European.
17
Lived in Spain for years. The racism I witnessed was pervasive and pretty shameless. Perhaps due to the very homogenous nature of its culture. I hope things have changed for those seeking something better over there. I fear they'll find just a different brand of exclusion.
30
Outside of America there are no Hispanics aka people with a Spanish language and cultural heritage that has nothing to do with color aka race or national origin. Spaniards and the Spanish are just another white European tribe. The notion that the Spain of the Inquisition and the Empire and the Fascist autocracy is welcoming to Jews is delusional and ludicrous.
13
@Blackmamba
Span is attempting to make up for past wrongs. There is no longer any Fascist autocracy in Spain (remember Franco no longer rules) although there might be one growing in US.
Spain is welcoming Jews whose ancestors had to flee. I believe Spain is helping them to resettle and perhaps also providing some financial help.
Also as Spanish citizens they can work and study anywhere in the EU.
Why do you find this ludicrous?
16
@Blackmamba and yet, we are wellcoming them. We have our share of problems, but as one democratic country with a better liberty score than the USA, we do not need to get lessons from uninforned biggots
17
If this article is to be believed, these Jews respond to rising anti-Semitism in this country by moving to the third most anti-Semitic country in Western Europe. Specifically, they propose to move from a country that ranks 9% on the ADL scale of anti-Semitism to a country that ranks 29%
http://global100.adl.org/#map
If Jews really are the smartest people on earth, no wonder the world is going to Hell in a hay wain.
11
@Haim
Many of these Jews are Hispanic. The climate in the US against Hispanics is getting pretty frightening.
And then attacks on Jews or people perceived as Jewish have been doubling since Trump took over (stats on line).
Regardless of Spain's past, there has been no shooting up worshipper in synagogues there unlike.....
5
I myself am thinking of leaving to Spain even though I am not Jewish. I am HISPANIC in the US and had to endure subtle racism while working for IBM here, and now Trump is cranking up his racism.
As for the racism of the Spanish I was born in Uruguay in 1931 and witnessed the arrival of many German Jews who couldn't enter the US due to their immigration laws.My family received the new neighbors with open arms and still now, after so many years maintain the relationship even though I live in the US now, they are still there. I am half Basque and half Galician, I don't know about the Galicians but to be a real Basque you have to have 8 antecessors who had Basque surnames, I never heard, however, bad words about our Jewish friends.
6
@Haim The question is, how many jews have been killed by terrorist acts in the last, lets say...50 years in Spain? Ooops, none. I rest my case.
6
In the headline: One cannot emigrate TO another country. One emigrates FROM one country to another and one immigrates TO another country. Please hire a copy editor and/or teach the reporter who wrote this article the proper use of these two verbs.
69
@Helicopter - Simply, emigrate means to leave, and immigrate means to arrive. The rest is nonsense.
5
I'm happy for the Sephardic Jews who have the Spain option. What about the millions of American Ashkenazi Jews? Do we flee to Poland? Germany? Russia? Latvia? Hungary? Austria? Where can we go where we will not be attacked, physically, socially, or politically? Here in America, on the Right, we have a major political party unabashedly take on the mantle of the white nationalist anti-Semites. On the Left, we have an extreme uptick in anti-Semitism based on blaming American Jews for Israel's Palestinian policies. Perhaps it may now become clear why American Jews, the majority of whom do NOT support Israel's actions towards Palestinians, still believe in Israel's right to exist. We hope to to G*d that there will be someplace on earth where Jewish people have safety from institutional hatred. We Jews hope there will be a time when non-Jews will discover a path to happiness, a path to achieve their goals that does not entail the demonization of Jews.
22
@GariRae
These people are not Sephardic Jews. They have Sephardic Jewish ancestors, but from nearly 500 years ago. Look at the title of the article "Hispanics with Jewish roots."
9
@GariRae -- They are fleeing the anti-Hispanic fervor of places like Arizona, where quite recently the deputies of Sheriff Arpaio were instructed to ask for papers from anyone "looking Hispanic"... which would include all Native Americans as well. It's not about anti-semitism.
11
Why they go to Spain? They should be going to Holy Land, Israel
It took more than 2000 years to create that state. And it is duty of each and every Jews in world to be in that land. It has been written in Israeli constitution that Jews in any part of the world can claim Israeli citizenship under the LAWS OF RETURN. It is foolish they are going to Spain, rather than Israel.
14
@Trevor Diaz
They would not be admitted to Israel as Jews because they are not Jews.
They have one or several Jewish ancestors from hundreds of years ago. The overwhelming majority of them likely practice Catholicism and have no interest in practicing Judaism.
The Israel Law of Return would deny them residency because they dont have Jewish grandparents or parents and do not practice the religion of Judaism.
9
@Trevor Diaz Reform and Conservative Jews, which are most of the Jews in the US are not accepted as Jews in Israel. Only Orthodox Judaism is accepted in Israel, so if you move to Israel and want to have a religious wedding or other ceremony, you have to prove that you are Jewish. The Law of Return is only for certain Jews. I would never go to Israel, but would move to Canada if I felt I had to leave the US.
3
@Trevor Diaz maybe because by going to Spain they will not be part of the stealing of the Palestinian people land.
6
I am a legal resident of Mexico and considering citizenship. Ironically, it's emotionally safer and does not have the fascist movements that we and several European countries now "enjoy."
4
The article doesn't cover in detail the extensive paperwork and documentation necessary for those Americans who may qualify for Spanish citizenship, either because of their documented Sephardic Jewish ancestry, or because their Grandparents fled Spain in the Civil War, or because of other Spanish family ties. Much of the documentation requires time-consuming "Apostile" confirmation, and everything must be translated into Spanish. If they gain Spanish citizenship, they will be required to pay taxes on their worldwide income, generally at rates higher then in the US (although at least in theory the US/Spain Tax Treaty is supposed to avoid double taxation). But for those who qualify, or like us, obtain retirement (or other) residency visas, Spain is an open and welcoming country. Healthcare is excellent, and longevity is among the highest in the world. The cost of living varies, but can be very attractive depending on where in Spain you chose to live. Historical and cultural attractions abound and much of the country is absolutely beautiful. Spain is a great country!
33
@Ron Adam Spanish citizenship won't saddle anyone with a tax bill - only the US does that - but residence in Spain will. A small point, but slightly higher taxes are easily offset by the far lower costs of education and healthcare, which are almost nil in many cases.
16
@Ron Adam There may be difficulties, but my son who is descended from a Spanish political refugee succeeded in getting Spanish/EU citizenship.
3
Excellent article and Mr. Sierra's comments at the end of the article are so true.
3
Trump destroying the American dream on another front.
15
I've often wondered if there are others like me out there, dissatisfied with life in America and have found a happy life elsewhere in the world. I am a 50 year old black American, born in NYC and raised in Florida. I'm a professional accountant in the financial industry. I was recruited by a Big 3 accounting firm right out of university. After a few years I asked to be seconded to the firm's Frankfurt office. What should have been a 1 year secondment turned into 20 years. I'm now married to a German and both of our kids are German citizens. We have not applied for their US citizenship, though we could have. I don't want my kids to deal with the racism and inequality in America. When I look back on my life growing up in America, life here is completely different. Here, I don't have to deal with the daily micro-aggressions and inconveniences of being black in America. Black folks know what I'm talking about. Some people over here do have negative attitudes towards foreigners and people of color, but for the most part, people are hospitable and kind. There are many born and raised Americans that see inequality everyday, injustice everyday and are just tired of it. Tired of racism and implicit bias and being a second class citizen. My kids have been to the States for vacations just about every year of their lives. While they enjoy visiting, they both say that they will never live there. And I don't blame them.
149
@John Thanks for writing this comment - but I am fairly sure that unless you renounced your US citizenship, the US would already consider your children citizens, there would be no need to apply. Just make sure they stay on the right side of the IRS when they grow up - the US taxes citizens even when they live overseas their whole life!
7
@John Please stay in beautiful Deutschland, but beware.
The history of Germany teaches that those residents deemed not pure Deutsch, (whether for racial, religious,
or cultural reasons), may be repressed, expelled, or even exterminated.
Jews, who fought bravely and honorably for Germany during World War I, died in Hitler's concentration camps.
When the political weather changes for the worse,
Blacks (Africans), Jews, Muslims, and Gypsies,
will suffer.
10
Should the GOP retain control of the House and the Senate remain in the hands of the Republicans, I think we'll see thousands of Americans seeking political asylum in other countries. Citing various forms of persecution, economic hardship and racial and ethnic discrimination, many Americans will feel like castaways in their own countries. Kudos to Spain for accepting those with Sephardic roots. We'll see more of this in the days ahead under the Trump regime.
9
@H. Clark, Heads up Canada!
1
@H. Clark
Perhaps we can do a one to one swap with all the people all over the world that want to come to the US. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
1
be serious. This is an economic decision.
6
@Emmie C
Leaving the country where your family lived (possibly since the 16th century is more than an economic decision; it is more to do with insecurity, race hatred, personal identity, where you feel you belong...
18
@Emmie C
right, because Spain offers so many opportunities to make the "big bucks".
Christ goobers are stupid
7
@shrinking food
Spanish citizenship allows you to live and work and study anywhere in the EU.
The chance of your children getting murdered by mass shooters at their schools are practically non existent.
Not everyone is interested in making "big bucks". You know there's culture, vocations (some people do specific jobs because they derive satisfaction and happiness doing them even if they make much less money than other professions) and some folks want access to health care, and advanced education without being saddled with huge debts, etc
I suspect you were never able to leave the US, not even to take a peak next door to Canada? You strike me as someone who could use the map test: look at an unmarked map of the world and see if you can locate the US on it?
PS: calling people who might disagree with you "stupid" is not a convincing argument.
12
I am one of those who has recently obtained my Spanish citizenship. It took a while, maybe 1.5 years, as I passed thru every step of the process. In reality, my family doesn't know if we were in Spain during the Inquisition, but after my father's death I submitted many of his documents, and as he had been raised in Egypt, the governmental Jewish authority of Spain vetted me, saying Egyptian Jews had in fact been in Spain.
Then there were the 2 language tests, that were no easy feat, but I passed.
My prime motivation was a love of Barcelona where I have been spending as much time as has been allowed without being a citizen, 90 days. However, seeing the political situation of our country in the US, I'm very happy to have an option, especially if Trump wins again in 2 years.
At some point I will take advantage of the Spanish health care system which friends tell me is terrific. But the culture and people are quite enough to sustain me for now.
Of course Spain has its problems too, but at the moment turning into a fascist state is not one of them and I have not experienced a scintilla of bigotry here, not that it doesn't exist. I have no illusions.
66
The tide has turned: thinking people are considering emigrating from the U.S. instead of migrating to the U.S.
America has changed from a hopeful to a hateful place.
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@memosyne
Just like the GOP turned us into the biggest borrower after being the biggest lender
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An escape hatch sounds pretty good to me also. Gotta get a boat and pilot it 60 miles across Lake Ontario...but would Canada take a refugee from the US?
3
@CC
When Trump was elected, the number of US citizens applying for Canadian citizens spiked.
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@CC
If things get worse you might ask for asylum and Canada might give it to you if you are among the persecuted and in danger of being murdered.
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Spain is not always an easy place and Spaniards can be stubborn and difficult lot at times but I'll always be grateful to have been able to sit out most of the Trump years in Madrid. My wife, young son and I left the US last year and if it weren't for family and a home we have there I doubt we would ever consider moving back. Spain has a nasty past of fascism that still permeates particular parts of society but it is much better here for those who speak foreign languages, intellectuals, LGBT people and those of us on the left. And in spite of Spain's need to tackle its own racism and antisemitism it is probably more welcoming for people of color and Jews as well.
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We have to be cautious about the incident in Pittsburgh. The perpetrator does not represent most Americans. However, with this president, we have a green light to hate and scapegoat whole groups of people.
So glad that Spain is making amends for its past while other European countries have increased anti-semitism.
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@Dart1305
Most people in
America were good, but indians were slaughtered anyway
Turkey were good - armenians and kurds killed too
germany were good - jews and gypsies
It doesnt matter that most are good if they don't help
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@Dart1305 You obviously haven't lived in other parts of the country. I grew up in the Bible belt, and was regularly accused of killing Jesus. I would say that a lot of Americans feel the same way that he does.
10
Having dual US - Spanish citizenship increases geographic work possibilities and sidesteps cumbersome visa issues while providing the proverbial escape strategy.
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@ML It also includes double taxes
@William Smith No it doesn't. There is a tax treaty between the two countries.
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If people are wondering whether they might be of Spanish origin, if their last names are a place in Spain, like Leon or Burgos or Toledo (or Toledano), they very likely were Sephardic. So if you think you might need a refuge from these United States, get DNA tested. Jews have ALWAYS taken place names for their last names, usually the places they were kicked out of or had to flee. We think of the Ashkenazic place names easily (Minsky, Pinsky, Wiener, etc.) but maybe are less familiar with the Spanish place names. Other Sephardic names spoke to the converso status of the so-called New Christians: de Jesus, Santos, Cruz, and so on.
(It is my belief that my own name comes from Tabor, the capital of Bohemia.)
One quibble: the Jews did flee Spain but they were also actively kicked out with 30 days' notice, back in 1492.
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I hope this election reflects the wishes of the population considering leaving for Spain. We need their votes for these values here in the USA.
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The naivete expressed here is stunning. I, too, am Hispanic and Jewish, with a well-known Sephardic surname. Those who think Spain is hospitable toward Jews, Sephardic or otherwise, are sadly mistaken. Live there awhile & you will soon understand why so many of us flocked to the USA and why we happily stay here.
Whether his motives for the invitation back home were magnanimous or cynical, it's hard to say, but it was probably a combination of both. Whatever the case, Juan Carlos may have invited you back, but many of his countrymen don't want you there, simply because of your background. You will soon come to appreciate the relative hospitality toward you & your people in the USA, no matter the current rhetoric toward illegal aliens.
La convivencia was largely a myth as is the reality of the currrent "bienvenido".
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@Simon
Si, Simon, creo que Vd, tenga razon. No importa que dice el rey, sino lo que piensan y hacen sus vecinos en su ciudad,
Likely the situation will be as here, official policies and good intentions as in the US may not reflect what the average person thinks of you even right next door.
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@Simon
Spain is trying to make up for a horrible past wrong. And that is commendable.
The invitation didn't come from the king but from the Spanish parliament.
With Spanish citizenship you can live and work anywhere in the EU.
You can still keep your US citizenship.
If I were younger I might consider it seriously at this juncture. (I'm of Sephardic origins too)
Did Jews flock to the US from Spain? I don't think so. There were no Jew left in Spain. They flocked because of virulent anti-Semitism in many parts of Europe including Russia and other countries that regularly experienced pogroms, this a century before the rise of Nazism. Do yourself a favor and read some books on the history of the Jews......
8
There's the door, take care.
The rest of us do not run away when things get though.
12
There are brass plaques embedded in the sidewalk all over Germany known as “stumbling blocks”. They commemorate Jews who figured everything would be all right and failed to get out while the getting was good.
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@AutumLeaff
One lesson of the inquisition, and repeated pogroms, and the Holocaust, and other waves of anti-semitic violence that Jewish folks have faced, is that there comes a time when it is not so much "running" but fleeing to preserve your life. I am not saying that we are at that point in the US. But my family lived in Italy for about 448 years before they had to flee. Not crazy for me to consider and plan for the possibility that I too may need to.
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@AutumLeaff
Unless you’re full blooded Iroquois, I doubt that you got to NY without an ancestor who ran away from somewhere when things got tough.
13
Spain, especially Barcelona now has what is called Vox, an untra right group. Bannon is now prowling Europe to take his far right beliefs and many are following. Be careful folks.
10
One can say with confidence that the Spanish government will not de-fund health care or education opportunities for the have-nots. Hard-working and proud immigrants flocked to the US--"Give us your tired, your poor, and we'll give them a broom." Not to say that the Spanish government has always been reasonable but the memory of Franco, who died in 1975, is a fresh reminder of the dangers of fascism. And their Gini coefficient is far fairer than our unequal situation. I'm Ashkenazi but I'm thinking of emigrating anyway. Plus, it's cool to be Jewish in Spain these days.
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@Michael Simon
Unfortunately Spain's offer only applies to Sephardi descended from the folks that were kicked out of Spain in 1492.
Perhaps there are other ways to migrate but it's difficult, as difficult as to migrate to the US....
Perhaps you could apply for asylum?
4
How ironic that we can now go back to Spain. Voter ID laws have lead to an electoral college victory for a racist "President." Trump's rhetoric and the rhetoric of the Pittsburgh killer are basically the same. There is a direct link.
One ought to be able to go down and vote without having your actual neighbors asking you for your photo ID. And Trump's cementing the supreme court with people hostile to basic human rights only ensures that things are likely to get worse.
It's sad that today I am more enthusiastic about the possibilities of my Spanish roots in Southern Colorado than the future of our country due to Red State America.
19
But many also express alarm over a recent surge in hate crimes and harassment targeting Hispanics, and President Trump’s demonization of Latin American immigrants as criminals and invaders.
--------------------The term is not "immigrants" but "illegal aliens" or, if you prefer, "illegal immigrants". Most of the 12 million or so illegal aliens in this country are Hispanic, according to Pew. Half of them are even Mexican. I'm of Arab ancestry, and I sure don't believe that Arabs, or anyone else, should be able to break the laws of this country. Yet, Hispanics seem to think they deserve that right. By the way, Arabs ruled Spain for several hundred years and were kicked out about the same time as Jews were. Wonder when Spain's going to extend the "right of return" to us.
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@Ali it's the employers in the US who think and know that they can break the immigration rules. If they are stopped, there will be much less illegal immigration. But right now, there are no consequences (and many work arounds) for hiring illegal immigrants and an endless supply. So this immigration for jobs continues
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@Ali
you don't mention the oppression of the moor's against all others.
Intolerance is written right into your book just as the christian book.
No one is safe around muslims
especially other muslims
3
I’m not Jewish but there was more than enough hostility in America to drive me out of the country.
Unresolved issues in America like health insurance, gun control, abortion, and immigration have long since been resolved in my adopted country, France.
The only controversial issues recently here in France are reducing the speed limit from 90 to 80 kilometers per hour and abolishing daylight savings time.
Living in the south of France is so calming that Trumpism and his America are perceived as practically insane!
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@michael kittle you're delusional if you think those are the only controversial issues facing France. How about immigration from African and middle eastern countries as well as the numerous terrorist attacks, including against Jews, your country has experienced?
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@michael kittle
You forget teh anti semitic attacks in france when addressing a piece about jews seeking peace.
France is no place for jews.
9
Imagine having ancestors who have died in the Civil War, two World Wars, Korea, and Vietnam and who have lived in New Mexico for centuries. That’s the situation with many of us. Now these “nationalists” newcomers to America want to run us out because of the loudmouth in the White House. What a disgrace.
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I'm surprised this article did not delve into how prevalent anti-Semitic attitudes in Spain are:
http://global100.adl.org/#country/spain/2014
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@SB
The son of some German Jews who came to Uruguay in the mid-thirties and his wife,also Jewish and from Argentina tried Israel for a while and then fled to Spain, they have been there for many years now, I didn't hear any complaints about racism.
4
New Mexico is diverse and accepting and therefore it is surprising that Trump rhetoric would cause anyone to move to Spain. Moreover, Spain has its own substantial problems. Its economy is in trouble and it has serious migrant problems on top of its own very high unemployment rate. Spain's problems will only get worse. And, for people who claim to have been Jews 500 years ago, to go to Spain, is almost like Jews going to
Germany. Not just thousands of Jews but 10,000s of Jews were expelled from Spain by Ferdinand and Isabela in 1492. Those who converted and stayed were often then denounced as still Jews. They were then burned at the stake. The crown took their property. It was all a great money maker for the Spanish. Americans moving to Spain are wise to keep their American citizenship since in reality there is no future for them in Spain. Our own troubles will pass and those who left will be coming home.
13
As the son of a German Jewish refugee who reached the US after WWII, I have the right to return to Germany. Thanks to hate encouraged by Donald Trump, I now understand the difficult decision(s) that were made by German Jews who had to decide whether the stay or go. Soon, I may have to follow Ms. Gallegos back to Europe. The midterms are an important signal as to whether I need to pack my bags...
13
@Robert K. I'll take the US over Germany any time. Try walking anywhere in Germany or Europe with a kippah. No doubt, Germany is much better to its Jews than in 1943 but that's not a hard hurdle to leap.
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@Robert K
Let's be honest, Jews have no friends in either party.
The GOP wants us dead so they can learn jesus was a black man when he returns
The dems want to hand our heads to the arabs under the delusion that will create peace
Look out for and arm yourself
What do these people do about jobs? I would be interested in emigrating to a foreign country depending on the results of these midterm elections and the 2020 Presidential election, but the logistics seem overwhelming.
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@SRB
You do the same thing as you do in the US or anywhere. You read ads in papers and go to an employment agency and apply for a job. IN addition, Spanish citizenship allows you to work anywhere in the EU (google to see what countries are part of the EU).
Of course this is an unusual situation as Spain is trying to make up for wrongs the country did in the past. Immigrating to another country is as difficulty as immigrating to the US......
@SRB
So did the logistics of prison camps. That has been our choice in the past. And may well be the choice again
Education, health care, hospitals (excellent doctors) and much cheaper than here in the US. Nice weather, especially in the mediterranean coast line (Alicante), food and drinks (excellent and much cheaper restaurants than here). And most important, friendly people and open society. Just a few reasons to live in Spain.
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"Imagine not having to pay off loans for twenty years.", says it all. Plus having health care! Who wouldn't want to have those options available? It is strongly an economic decision as well.
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@MS Remember Spain has had strongmen such as Franco in the past. Trump is hopefully just a blip in our countries history.
2
@Donald Luke
Franco was a blip too.
Hopefully the folks traumatized by Trump will recover? You know, those children taken away from their parents.
Also what would you call our Jim Crow segregation? Remember it officially ended at the end of the sixties. And then we have police shootings (somehow police in European countries, including Spain, are able to keep law and order without killing people left and right, particularly unarmed black folks)
and and and.......(what was that saying about throwing the first stone -- and the US also supported Franco ......)
5
@Donald Luke
there is a straight line from reagan to trump
trump is the logical out growth of our first fascist president
9
My dad always quoted the saying “ Hope for the best; prepare for the worst.”
If I was in these people’s situation, I’d be doing exactly the same thing.
103
Fascinating article, thanks. Having lived in the Southwest I knew a number of people who had traced their ancestry to Spanish Jews -often upsetting their otherwise Catholic families. But what a sad commentary on the state of our country that Jews in the U.S. would feel safer in Spain, despite its history of fascism and religious intolerance. What does that say about us?
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@Caveat Emptor "history" is the operative word - Spain has moved on and overcome its past in a way the US has not. It is now a very open society and much more welcoming than the US in many ways.
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@Caveat Emptor It is not sad commentary on the state of our country. It is just that modern Spain's religious tolerance is hard to match. It was the first country in the world to give full rights (including adoption rights) to gay couples. Many parents skip marriage and more than half of the others skip the church, abortion rights are not under siege, beaches and public pools are full of topless women and nobody blinks, most of the people are not religious but those who are are left alone... Regarding fascism, well, perhaps if the Allies had not decided to appease Hitler in 1936 by refusing to support the democratically elected Spanish government, Franco would have never happened. Remember Guernica.
27
@Caveat Emptor
If you read the article youll notice no one mentions feeling unsafe as a Jew.
They feel unsafe as Hispanics.
Its says everything about the Republican party that regularly demonizes Hispanics.
38
Right, Jewish people fleeing from the USA to get a safe haven in Spain.
There was the Spanish Inquisition against Jews, and in WWII, Franco , an Axis ally with Germany sent lists of Jews to the Gestapo. Towards the end of the war, Franco changed course and allowed Jews to enter Spain to flee the Nazis. This claim has been somewhat. *
Why would Jewish People (I'm Jewish) flee the USA to go to Spain. Canada (so far) is a better safe place for Sapnish Americans.
*https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/jun/20/franco-gave-list-spanish-jews-nazisrefuted
34
@Majortrout Maybe because Canada is hard to emigrate to if you are a US citizen? Maybe because Canada isn't Europe?
36
@Majortrout Unfortunately, right now a lot of countries including Spain appear to be safer for Jews than the United States.
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@Majortrout
The climate in Malaga & its environs is most congenial
35