It's early morning in the Spanish capital. Outside a service office, the queue is already long, even though it's only 5 a.m.
"We handle 640 applications per day," Elizabeth Sánchez Ortiz at the aid organization Rumiñahui told France24.
Marian Villasmil from Venezuela is one of those Elizabeth Sánchez Ortiz has helped.
It is not easy to work on the black market without papers, Marian Villasmil told the TV channel.
For example, I worked in a bar. They gave me 20 euros for eight hours of work, and even for twelve hours of work, she continued, saying that the residence permits are a real opportunity for her and many others.
Spotless criminal record
To be able to apply for the residence permit, migrants need to have lived in Spain continuously for at least five months before the end of the year. Documents to prove this are also required - one for each month. In addition, a clean criminal record is also required.
The residence permit, which is valid for one year, gives migrants the right to work legally, which ultimately means more tax revenue for the treasury.
The more than one million applications submitted... show how important this recognition of rights and obligations is, said Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Tuesday, reports the AFP news agency.
He has repeatedly highlighted the benefits of immigration for industries that are in need of workers, such as construction. Spanish business leaders have also welcomed the campaign.
Criticism from the right and the EU
But the amnesty has also been criticized, both in and outside Spain. At home, the conservative Partido Popular (PP) and the far-right Vox party have argued that it will attract even more undocumented immigrants. In the EU, criticism of Spain has also been heavy, and there is concern that Spain is choosing a different path than the one the Union has jointly set out. As late as June 12, the EU's asylum and migration pact came into force.
According to AFP, Sánchez said on Tuesday that he accepts "tensions" and "challenges" linked to immigration and integration, but accuses the right wing of "fomenting fear" and "xenophobic discourse that does not solve any problems."
