Spain Approves Amnesty Programme for Undocumented Immigrants Nationwide

Spain Approves Amnesty Programme for Undocumented Immigrants

The Spanish government has approved a new amnesty programme that will allow approximately 500,000 undocumented immigrants to apply for legal status. The measure was passed on Tuesday by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s administration and is set to open applications on April 16.

Under the plan, those who meet certain conditions will be able to seek a one-year residency and work permit. Applicants must have arrived in Spain before January 1, prove they have been living in the country for at least five months, and have no criminal record. The window for applications will close on June 30.

The programme has sparked opposition from some politicians and civil servants, who express concerns about the impact on public services. However, the government estimates that half a million people living in Spain without legal status could be eligible for the programme.

Prime Minister Sanchez described the move as “an act of justice and a necessity”. The centre-right People’s Party has previously carried out mass legalisations of migrants during their time in power. Analysts suggest that the actual number of eligible individuals may be higher than estimated.

The government expects the influx of new workers to contribute to Spain’s growing economy, which is currently the fastest-growing in Europe. With a population of around 50 million and approximately 10 million residents born outside the country, many migrants have fled poverty, violence, or political instability from countries such as Colombia, Venezuela, and Morocco.

Source: Al Jazeera