Canary Islands Successfully Relocate 336 Asylum-Seeking Minors to the Mainland

On Friday, the government of the Canary Islands announced a significant milestone in its ongoing efforts to address the humanitarian crisis involving unaccompanied minors. A total of 336 asylum-seeking minors have been successfully relocated to the mainland, marking a positive step forward in the management of this vulnerable population. However, the situation remains complex, as 343 other minors continue to reside in state facilities across the islands, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by local authorities.

Strain on Local Care Systems

The Minister for Social Welfare, Candelaria Delgado, addressed the pressing challenges confronting the care system in the Canary Islands. She noted that the high influx of minors awaiting relocation has placed an immense strain on resources and facilities. This announcement comes at a critical time, coinciding with the expiration of an extension granted by the Supreme Court to the central government, which mandated the relocation of unaccompanied foreign minors eligible for international protection.

During the interim period leading up to this relocation, it was reported that 240 minors have reached adulthood. Despite this transition into adulthood, these individuals continue to be counted among those awaiting relocation in state facilities, complicating the overall management of the situation.

Current Living Conditions for Minors

As it stands, the state-funded facilities in the Canary Islands, all located in Gran Canaria, are currently accommodating 200 asylum-seeking minors. The distribution of these minors across various facilities is as follows:

• 200 at the former Canarias 50 barracks
• 16 at the Casa del Mar
• 127 at Colegio León

In total, the state is responsible for 679 minors under international protection. When factoring in the 240 individuals who have recently turned 18, the overall number of young people involved in the relocation process rises to 919. Additionally, it is important to note that some migrants have opted to withdraw from the relocation process voluntarily, further complicating the situation.

Government Responsibilities and Future Initiatives

Minister Delgado emphasized that while the state has taken on the guardianship of these minors, it remains the responsibility of the autonomous community to ensure that they are placed in stable accommodation centers as quickly as possible. This includes both facilities in the Canary Islands and those on the mainland, in accordance with existing regulations.

There are currently around 70 young individuals in the Canary facilities whose ages are disputed by the central government. The autonomous community asserts that these individuals are still minors, adding another layer of complexity to the relocation efforts.

In light of the Supreme Court ruling issued on March 25, the Director General for the Protection of Children and Families, Sandra Rodríguez, indicated that the central government is now making concerted efforts to comply with the ruling. She highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting that the government is attempting to accomplish what has not been achieved in the past eight months within a mere 15 days.

Rodríguez also revealed that the central government has requested a comprehensive list of minors with international protection to facilitate further relocations. This process is expected to continue throughout the upcoming week, pending necessary reviews by the Directorate General and the Public Prosecutor’s Office. Additionally, she pointed out the establishment of transit centers in Gran Canaria, with a request for another center in Tenerife. This request comes in response to reports that some minors have shown reluctance to leave the island, underscoring the need for sensitive handling of their relocation.

The Director General stressed that meeting the judicial mandate requires not only the departure of minors from the Canarias 50 facility but also their arrival at permanent accommodation centers that provide the necessary international protection. This dual focus is essential to ensure the well-being and stability of these vulnerable young individuals as they navigate their uncertain futures.

Key points

• 336 asylum-seeking minors have been relocated to the mainland.
• 343 minors remain in state facilities in the Canary Islands.
• 240 minors have reached adulthood during the waiting period.
• The state is responsible for 679 minors under international protection.
• Approximately 70 minors’ ages are disputed by the central government.
• Efforts are underway to comply with a Supreme Court ruling regarding relocation.
• Transit centers are being established in Gran Canaria and requested in Tenerife.