[1] The SEM is appointed by the monarch on the advice of the minister of inclusion, social security and migration.

It is not clear when migratory issues took center stage within the Spanish administration, although there is evidence that in 1882, a section was created inside the Ministry of Development destinated to these matters.

This was done through collecting labor information abroad to offer Spaniards more attractive jobs in this type of countries.

It was in 2000 when this departmanet was created, named Government Delegation for Foreigners and Immigration, with the rank of secretary of state.

Under the secretary of state are the following departments:[1] The SED also has a personal Cabinet for the coordination of the secretary of state's activities within the European Union and other international forums and organizations in matters of migration and a Deputy Directorate-General for Legal Regime to assist on legal and technical matters regarding national, European and international migration law.