Almost 1.2 million undocumented migrants have sought legal status in Spain under a scheme that has defied a growing European crackdown on irregular immigration, according to final figures released on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The government of Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, a standard bearer of more open immigration policies, launched the vast plan in April while European neighbours toughen measures in response to pressure from ascendant far-right parties.<\/p>\n
A total of 1,174,978 applications were submitted between mid-April and June 30 when the window closed, with more than 600,000 already being processed, secretary of state for migration Pilar Cancela told a press conference in Madrid.<\/p>\n
Latin America accounted for 67 percent of the submissions, with Colombia alone representing 25.9 percent of the total. African nationalities followed with 22.9 percent.<\/p>\n
After Colombia, the most represented countries were Morocco at 13.3 percent, Venezuela with 11.8 percent and Peru at 8.8 percent.<\/p>\n
An overwhelming majority of applicants were young, with eight out of 10 younger than 45 years old, while 57 percent of the total were males against 43 percent for females.<\/p>\n
The application total does not necessarily indicate how many people will normalise their situation, with initial predictions forecasting the regularisation of 500,000.<\/p>\n
Applicants must prove they have a clean criminal record and spent at least five consecutive months in Spain before January 1.<\/p>\n
The authorities have three months to process their paperwork and decide whether to issue a work and residence permit only valid in Spain.<\/p>\n
Sanchez has touted the benefits of immigration and the vast regularisation scheme for sectors such as construction that need to boost their workforce.<\/p>\n
Spanish business leaders have welcomed the move, but the conservative and far-right opposition are furious about a policy they say will encourage more irregular immigration.<\/p>\n
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