Spain admits no Moroccan minors have been repatriated in years

The Spanish government said that no unaccompanied Moroccan minors have been repatriated in recent years, despite a bilateral agreement with Morocco that has been in place since 2007. 

This revelation came in response to a parliamentary inquiry by members of the far-right Vox party, who questioned why the agreement was not being enforced.

The question, raised in Spain’s Congress on January 2, aimed to understand whether there were obstacles preventing the return of these minors to Morocco. 

Vox lawmakers also sought clarification on the measures being taken by the government to enforce repatriations and the reasons behind the apparent failure to implement the agreement between the two countries.

The Spanish government has cited legal complexities as the main barrier. According to officials, the repatriation of unaccompanied minors is governed by Spain’s child protection laws, including the Law on the Legal Protection of Minors and the Immigration Law. 

These laws require that any deportation must prioritize the best interests of the child, meaning each case is assessed individually.

Spain’s government said that autonomous regions handle the welfare of unaccompanied minors, making it a decentralized process.

The final decision on repatriation is made by government delegations, and officials insist that all actions must be taken with child protection in mind.

Morocco has repeatedly stated its willingness to accept its nationals back. Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita previously confirmed that Morocco was prepared to welcome unaccompanied minors but cited legal loopholes in Spain that were slowing down or preventing the process.

Vox, which has long campaigned for stricter immigration policies, used Bourita’s statements to argue that Spain was failing to uphold its agreements. 

The party also pointed out that Morocco has committed to the EU to curb illegal migration in exchange for financial aid and other agreements.

This debate comes at a time when Spain is struggling with rising numbers of migrants arriving on its shores, particularly to the Canary Islands.

Many of these migrants include unaccompanied minors, whose care falls under the jurisdiction of Spain’s regional governments. With shelters reaching capacity, the repatriation issue is becoming increasingly urgent in political discussions.