Spain starts program to legalize up to half-million migrants

Spain has launched a program to provide legal status to up to 500,000 undocumented migrants. This initiative goes against the current trend of anti-immigration sentiments and policies seen in the United States and many European countries. Announced in January, the program aims to decrease labor exploitation in Spain's informal economy. Both the country's central bank and the United Nations have noted that Spain requires approximately 300,000 migrant workers each year to maintain its welfare system. On Monday, hundreds of migrants gathered outside migration offices to apply for legal status as Spain opened its in-person application process. Many others waited outside city council offices to get a certificate that shows they are in a vulnerable situation, which is sometimes needed for regularization. In Almería, located on Spain's southeastern coast, the line was so long that police had to turn people away for the day. Colombian migrant Enrique Solana shared his experience with Reuters, saying, “I arrived at 6:30 a.m. There were already a lot of people. I’ll have to get up earlier,” after being told that not all migrants could be assisted that day. Spanish Migration Minister Elma Saiz explained that migrants must go to specific offices by appointment and that a vulnerability certificate is needed in some cases. She addressed concerns about the mass legalization potentially increasing job competition, stating, “Regularization is not competition. It is social justice and visibility. It is giving opportunities,” in a post on X on Monday.