The government of Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, a proponent of more open immigration policies, launched the vast regularization scheme in April, even as European neighbors tighten measures in response to pressure from ascendant far-right parties.

A total of 1,174,978 applications were submitted between mid-April and June 30, with more than 600,000 already being processed, Secretary of State for Migration Pilar Cancela told a news conference in Madrid on Thursday. Latin America accounted for 67% of submissions, followed by African nationalities at 22.9%.

The most represented countries after Colombia (25.9%) were Morocco (13.3%), Venezuela (11.8%), and Peru (8.8%). An overwhelming majority of applicants were young: eight out of 10 were under 45, and 57% were male.

The application total does not necessarily indicate how many will regularize their status. According to government projections in April, there are about 500,000 potential beneficiaries. Applicants must prove a clean criminal record and at least five consecutive months in Spain before January 1.

Sanchez has touted the benefits of immigration, stating, "Without immigration, Spain would lose 19% of its GDP by 2050." He warned that 90,000 bars, 50,000 classrooms, and 220,000 farms would disappear without immigrant labor.

However, conservative and far-right opposition parties are furious. Santiago Abascal, leader of the far-right Vox party, slammed the scheme as an "invasion," saying, "More than a million strangers now competing with Spaniards for jobs, housing, daycare places, hospital beds, and social assistance."

Source: www.aljazeera.com