Spain’s migration policy sees 1.2 million applying for legal residency | Story

Spain’s immigration system sees more than a million people, with Latin Americans leading the way at 67 percent.

Around 1.2 million migrants have applied for a permit in Spain under a scheme that has come at the heart of Europe’s growing unrest over illegal immigration.

The government of Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who has an outspoken policy on immigration, launched a major plan in April as Europe’s neighbors scramble to take action under pressure from rising right-wing parties.

1,174,978 applications were submitted between April and June 30 when the window closed, while more than 600,000 are already being processed, Secretary of State for Migration Pilar Cancela told a press conference in Madrid on Thursday.

Latin America is 67 percent of what was given, and Colombia alone was 25.9 percent of the total. African countries followed with 22.9 percent.

After Colombia, the most represented countries were Morocco at 13.3 percent, Venezuela at 11.8 percent and Peru at 8.8 percent.

The majority of applicants were young, eight in 10 under the age of 45, with 57 per cent male versus 43 per cent female.

The total number does not indicate how many people can change their situation. According to the government’s April forecast, there are about 500,000 people who will benefit from it.

Applicants must prove that they have a good record and have spent five consecutive months in Spain before January 1.

Authorities have three months to prepare their documents and decide whether to issue a work and residence permit only in Spain.

Sanchez has talked about the benefits of immigration and a strong policy of stability in sectors such as infrastructure that are needed to strengthen their workforce.

“Without migration, Spain will lose 19 percent of its GDP by 2050,” Sanchez said on Tuesday in reference to migration. “And what does this mean for business? It means that, for example, 90,000 bars will be closed, that 50,000 primary and secondary classes will be without students, and that about 220,000 farms will disappear.”

Without immigration, he added, Spain would be “poor, useless, weak and without money to support its government”.

“Spain has not made progress in building walls,” the Prime Minister said. “The only thing to do is to extend a hand, not to stop moving.”

Spanish business leaders have welcomed the move, but conservative and far-right critics are furious at the policy, which they say will encourage irregular migration. Santiago Abascal, leader of the far-right Vox party, condemned the attack, calling it an “attack”.

Abascal said: “More than a million foreigners are now competing with the Spanish people for jobs, housing, childcare, hospital accommodation, and social assistance.” he said on X.