Government Voices “Maximum Concern” Over Migrant Minors
The Canary Islands government has expressed “maximum concern” regarding the Spanish state’s slow pace in transferring unaccompanied minor migrants who have applied for asylum. Francis Candil, the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare for the Canary Islands, highlighted this critical situation during an open day event held aboard the humanitarian ship Open Arms this Friday.
Legal Appeals and Legislative Action
The escalating crisis has compelled the regional government to seek intervention from the Supreme Court. “We are waiting for a resolution on the latest appeal presented by the Autonomous Community before the Supreme Court,” stated Candil. He further emphasized the need to wait for subsequent court rulings and for new measures to be pushed forward in the Congress of Deputies to address the issue.
Fear of a New Wave of Arrivals
This plea for urgent action gains even greater significance with the imminent improvement of sailing conditions in the Atlantic Ocean. Calmer seas often lead to a fresh surge in migrant arrivals, a prospect that deeply worries local authorities. “We are fearful that the situation could worsen again,” warned the deputy minister, pointing to a potential new spike in the number of people making the perilous journey.
Systemic Failures and Age Disputes
The anxiety of the regional government has been intensified by a recent failure in the system. The first attempted express transfer of a migrant minor collapsed when it was later confirmed that the individual was, in fact, an adult. This problem of age verification, according to Candil, also negatively impacts young people who have been granted international protection.
Asylum Status at Risk Upon Adulthood
A particularly troubling issue is the precarious legal status of these young asylum seekers. “We are especially concerned that the asylum status of these boys could disappear when they turn 18 years old,” Candil cautioned. From the perspective of the Canary Islands government, if administrative deadlines continue to be stretched, it will perpetuate a situation of mistreatment towards these vulnerable minors.
An “Unsustainable” and Drip-Feed Transfer Process
In this tense context, the deputy minister demanded greater diligence and speed in the referral of minors with asylum applications, describing the current process as a mere “drip-feed.” This criticism is not new; the autonomous government has been calling for faster transfers for weeks. Candil denounced that, to date, “weekly transfers have not exceeded 15 or 20 journeys.” This slow pace is deemed “unsustainable” for the Autonomous Community, which is already operating at triple its intended reception capacity, creating a severe humanitarian strain on local resources.
