More Than 1 Million Migrants Apply for Legal Status in Spain

Key Points:

• Over one million undocumented immigrants in Spain have applied for legalization under a new government program aimed at integrating them into the formal labor force, exceeding initial projections by about 25%.
• Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez hailed the program as a crucial step to support Spain's aging population and economy, highlighting the importance of foreign-born workers in sectors like agriculture and tourism.
• The initiative has gained international attention for contrasting with restrictive immigration policies in other Western countries, notably drawing criticism from former U.S. President Donald Trump and support from global left-wing circles.
• The program primarily benefits Latin American immigrants but faces opposition from Spain's conservative and far-right parties, who argue it could strain infrastructure and alter Spanish society.
• Eligibility for the program required undocumented immigrants to have lived in Spain for at least five months prior to the application window, reflecting the government's effort to formalize and support this population segment.