MADRID (AP) In a significant policy move, approximately 1 million immigrants in Spain have applied for legal status following the government's initiative to integrate unauthorized foreigners residing in the country. This measure, which was revealed in January 2023 and initiated in April, aims to provide a pathway for those living and working in Spain without proper authorization.
The application window for this program was scheduled to close on a recent Tuesday. The initiative offers a one-year, renewable residence permit to immigrants who have resided in Spain for at least five months and possess a clean criminal record. As of mid-June, the Spanish government had processed over 900,000 applications, far surpassing the initial estimate of 500,000 beneficiaries.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, a notable progressive leader in Europe, referred to this move as "an act of justice and a necessity." He emphasized that individuals already contributing to the workforce in Spain should be allowed to do so under equal conditions and to pay taxes, thereby aligning with the country's legal and economic frameworks.
This policy starkly contrasts the stringent deportation measures adopted in other regions, such as parts of the European Union and the United States. Although Spain has previously implemented similar legalization policies, this current initiative has sparked extensive public debate and scrutiny regarding its potential impacts.
As of June 12, the number of applications submitted under this temporary program had reached 900,000. Government estimates indicated the possibility of around 500,000 foreigners being eligible, but various think tanks and the Spanish police suggested the actual number could be nearly a million. Experts predict that the final figure will exceed one million applicants.
By the same date, the government had successfully processed about 360,000 applications, granting applicants temporary residence and work permits. As the authorities have three months to finalize all applications submitted by June 30, these numbers are expected to increase.
Among the applicants, Colombian nationals constituted the largest group, making up 30% of the total submissions. According to the National Statistics Institute, this has been reflective of the significant population of Colombian-born individuals in Spain, estimated at about 980,000. Following Colombians, Moroccan nationals accounted for 14% of applicants, while Venezuelans and Peruvians made up 10% and 9%, respectively. This reflects Spain's reliance on immigrant labor in key sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and services.
Furthermore, statistics reveal that one in five residents in Spain was born outside the country. Out of a population of 50 million, approximately 10 million individuals hail from abroad. Many immigrants have fled violence, political instability, or are seeking improved economic conditions.
Spain has a history of undertaking mass legalization measures, having previously done so six times. The first three initiatives were conducted under Socialist Party Prime Minister Felipe González beginning in 1986. Conservative Prime Minister José Aznar also oversaw two such measures in the 2000s, but the current application numbers far exceed those of previous efforts, including the 2005 initiative that saw the legalization of 576,500 immigrants.
