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Spain's government has been inundated with applications from undocumented migrants seeking legal status, receiving around 900,000 requests under a program initially designed for half that number. The Migration Ministry announced the figures on Monday, highlighting the program's strong appeal in a country that maintains an open stance on immigration despite tighter border controls elsewhere in Europe.

Non-profit refugee aid organization CEAR anticipates that the total number of applications will exceed one million before the program concludes in two weeks. This initiative is partly aimed at integrating undocumented migrants into Spain's formal labor market. The ministry also reported that Spain has granted 360,000 temporary work permits since April, representing roughly 40% of the applications processed. Successful applicants can begin working as soon as their applications are accepted for review.

Spain's economic performance has been robust, outperforming many European peers over the past two years. This growth is partly attributed to the contributions of migrants who have helped alleviate labor shortages in key sectors like hospitality and elderly care. Their increased participation in the formal economy also boosts social security contributions.

Pilar Cancela, secretary of state for migration, indicated that the state has the capacity to manage up to one million applications between April and June. She noted that the number of requests is likely to surpass the number of permits issued. Despite the program's success, Spain has a history of significant delays in its immigration system, leaving many migrants waiting years for asylum or other forms of residency. This has resulted in a substantial undocumented population working informally while navigating the lengthy bureaucratic processes.

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This is an extraordinary programme, but there should be a structural measure to facilitate access to work and residence permits, in order to avoid creating groups of people living on the margins of society.