MADRID – The Spanish government on Friday authorized nearly 150-million euros ($165 million) in subsidies to ease the strain on its migrant-processing system after a recent spike in arrivals from Latin America overwhelmed its social services.
Government spokeswoman Isabel Celaa said the subsidies will be complemented by 25-million euros from European funds.
Provoked by national crises in Spanish-speaking countries like Venezuela and Colombia, the number of people seeking asylum in Spain has skyrocketed. Madrid City Council received 50,000 asylum applications between Jan. and Oct. 2019 – compared to only 36,000 nationwide and throughout 2018.(Reuters)
