**Title: Nearly 1 Million Illegal Migrants Seek Legalization in Spain Amid Amnesty Program**
In a significant development, approximately 900,000 illegal migrants have applied for legal status in Spain as part of a recent amnesty initiative, according to the country’s Migration Ministry. This figure nearly doubles the initial expectation of around 500,000 applications prior to the program's launch in April.
The amnesty program, which is set to conclude in two weeks, has drawn attention from various sectors of society, including political leaders and non-profit organizations. The non-profit refugee organization CEAR has projected that the total number of applications could exceed 1 million by the time the amnesty period ends.
The political landscape surrounding the initiative has been contentious. Alberto Nunez Feijoo, the leader of the opposition People’s Party (PP), has criticized the amnesty as “unfair, unsafe, and unsustainable.” He expressed concerns that the program might inadvertently encourage organized crime, particularly human trafficking, by providing incentives for illegal immigration. Feijoo and his party have argued that granting legal documents to migrants is illogical when many Spaniards perceive a decline in public services.
Critics of the amnesty have raised alarms about the potential for such large-scale regularization programs to act as a “pull factor,” suggesting that they may encourage further illegal immigration by raising expectations for future amnesties. There are also fears that the influx of migrants could exacerbate pressures on housing, healthcare, and other public services.
In contrast, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has defended the amnesty, asserting that it reflects Spain’s commitment to being a welcoming nation. He emphasized the values of dignity, community, and justice as guiding principles of the initiative.
As of now, the Migration Ministry has approved around 40% of the applications, resulting in approximately 360,000 temporary work permits being granted. Secretary of State for Migration Pilar Cancela Rodriguez indicated that while the Spanish government has the capacity to process up to 1 million applications between April and June, not all applicants will receive permits.
The backdrop to Spain's amnesty program is characterized by a broader increase in migrant numbers across the European Union. A report from the Center for Research and Analysis on Migration at RFBerlin highlighted Spain as having the fastest-growing migrant population in the EU, with an increase of 700,000 people, or 8%, in 2024, bringing the total to 9.5 million. This data is supported by statistics from Eurostat and the UN Refugee Agency.
Despite a decrease in arrivals since the peak of the migrant crisis in 2015, the foreign-born population in the EU reached a record 64.2 million last year, marking an increase of 20.2 million since 2010. This trend underscores the ongoing complexities of migration within Europe, particularly as some governments tighten immigration and asylum policies in response to public concerns about migration.
As Spain navigates this critical moment in its immigration policy, the outcomes of the amnesty program may have lasting implications for the country's approach to migration and its broader societal impacts.