MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Spain preparing to expel undocumented immigrants

Spain's Socialist government warned Monday that the undocumented immigrants who were not eligible under the current amnesty must leave the country.

An estimated 700,000 undocumented immigrants living in Spain, mostly from Latin America and North Africa, applied for the amnesty over the three month period that ended May 7.

Just 600,000 apparently will be legalized since they have been in Spain for six straight months beginning last year and have had work contracts for at least six months, as demanded in the amnesty conditions.

However Consuelo Rumi, Secretary of State for Immigration, emphasized in a broadcast interview Monday that those immigrants who do not meet the criteria must leave. Such individuals are believed to number at least several hundred thousands.

Speaking in the private network Antena 3, Ms. Rumi said that if they voluntarily, they will not be placed on a list impeding their return under other legal circumstances.

Those who do not leave voluntarily are subject to deportation, she warned.

Nevertheless Ms. Rumi revealed that foreigners included in the amnesty benefits will be able to apply for "family reunification", a clause which opens the way for other family members to come to Spain, once residence and work permits of the beneficiaries are renewed following a one year period.