Nearly one million unauthorized migrants apply for legal status in Spain

Spain’s unauthorized migrant population has applied in large numbers for legal status under a government regularization program, surpassing initial expectations. Over 900,000 applications were submitted by mid-June, with 360,000 provisional permits already issued. The program, backed by a 2024 citizens’ initiative, faces political opposition and contrasts with the EU’s new migration policies favoring stricter border controls and return centers.