Rabat - irregular migrants have been filed in Morocco, from the launch of the 2nd phase of this operation until March 8, Minister for Moroccans Living Abroad and Migration Affairs, Anis Birou, said.

Rabat – irregular migrants have been filed in Morocco, from the launch of the 2nd phase of this operation until March 8, Minister for Moroccans Living Abroad and Migration Affairs, Anis Birou, said.

When the second phase of the regularization initiative began at the end of 2016, it was expected that 25,000 people would be affected. Just a few months in to the process, that goal is looking conservative.

The18,000+ applications, filed in 69 prefectures throughout the Kingdom, concern different nationalities, Birou said during the launchof the project “Stories without Visas,” Thursday in Rabat. It recounts, via digital stories, the experiences of eight refugees who have chosen Morocco in their search for a better life.

Last December, Morocco launched the second phase of the regularization operation. The approach is a progressive one, aimed at achieving the economic and social integration of people in an irregular situation, most of them from sub-Saharan countries.

Speaking to the nation on the occasion of the anniversary of the Revolution of the King and People, King Mohamed VI had spoken of the regularization program as an integrated policy, “rooted in humanitarian values.” The approach’s cornerstone is the guarantee for migrants that their human rights will be respected and honoured.

During the King’s tours of Sub-Saharan African countries, Heads of State lauded Morocco’s approach to legalizing migrants, viewing it as in keeping with Morocco’s world-famous reputation for generousity and fairness. The King himself acknowledged migrants as hard working people who respect “Moroccan values and sancitities.”

Since 2013, the exceptional operation of regularization of illegal migrants in Morocco has already allowed the regularization of about 25,000 migrants.