Proceedings of the International scientific and practical conference ―Science in the Modern World‖ (May 4-6, 2026) / Publisher website: www.naukainfo.com. – Barcelona, Spain, 2026. - 260 p.

97 The process of migrant integration remains uneven and multi-layered. Its outcomes depend significantly on the institutional framework of the host country, particularly access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities [3]. A distinctive feature of the Spanish case is the differentiated nature of integration: migrants from Latin America tend to achieve higher levels of adaptation due to linguistic and cultural proximity, whereas migrants from North Africa often encounter more persistent structural barriers [6]. Migration policy in Spain has evolved through the interaction of domestic economic demands and the broader framework of European integration. Its development reflects a shift from reactive governance toward a more institutionalized and structured system of migration management. A central instrument of this policy has been large-scale regularization programs, which facilitated the incorporation of a substantial number of irregular migrants into the legal system and the formal labour market (Morén-Alegret, 2005). These measures played a crucial role in stabilizing both migration flows and labour market dynamics. At the same time, contemporary challenges—particularly irregular migration across the Mediterranean—have underscored the need to balance humanitarian considerations with security-oriented approaches to migration governance [7]. This tension remains a defining feature of current policy debates. The analysis of the scientific literature allows for the identification of several key structural challenges: 1. Labour market segmentation. Migrants are disproportionately concentrated in low-paid and low-skilled occupations, limiting opportunities for upward social mobility. 2. Territorial concentration. Major urban areas face increasing pressure on infrastructure and public services due to the spatial concentration of migrant populations [5]. 3. Social integration. Cultural and socio-economic differences complicate the processes of adaptation and inclusion.