Sanchez proposes transferring minor migrants from Ceuta, Melilla, Canary Islands to mainland Spain

Spain plans to relocate unaccompanied minor migrants from the occupied territories of Ceuta and Melilla, as well as the Canary Islands, directly to mainland Spain immediately upon their arrival in these self-governing regions, according to Spanish media outlets.

Spain’s Minister of Integration, Social Security, and Migration, Elma Saiz, revealed on Thursday the formation of a dedicated team that will handle the transfer of those migrants, from Ceuta, Melilla, and the Canary Islands, freeing them from local authority jurisdiction.

Although the details of this program are so far unclear it may involve minors legislation revisions that would allow the state to intervene and achieve a more equitable distribution of unaccompanied foreign minors.

Currently, the autonomous regional administrations are solely responsible for the judicial guardianship of children and adolescents. In the lack of a central agreement, each region is responsible for these minors.

The proposal is part of the Spanish immigration law reform, which is scheduled to be accomplished in the first half of 2024. It attempts to enhance the protection of immigrants’ rights by simplifying documentation and procedures.

However, this will only happen if there is enough support in the Spanish Congress and Senate.

Immigration Sector Conference suggested on Thursday the formation of a group to deal with unaccompanied migrant minors, with the Ministries of Youth and Children, as well as Integration, Social Security, and Migration as the bodies in charge.

This proposal comes in response to repeated requests from autonomous cities and islands to the central government to activate the “Response Plan for Migration Crises.” This arose after reception centers in these cities and islands were overcrowded by more than 150%.

The Canary Islands now have 4,400 minors under care. The region’s receiving centers are 60% full. Between January and February, another wave of migration is anticipated. In the year 2023 alone, 37,000 migrants arrived in the Canary Islands, according to RTVC.

The Canary Islands Government spends €78 million on the care of unaccompanied foreign minors, including resources and basic care. Additional funds include healthcare (14.5 million euros) and schooling for boys and girls (3 million euros) including staff and new classrooms.

In July 2022, the Spanish government approved the reception of 400 foreign unaccompanied minors from the Canary Islands and Ceuta in different towns and areas in Spanish territory. It is anticipated to welcome 374 others this year.