What Happens When Migrants Arrive by Boat?
For five years, the Canary Islands have faced an intense migration crisis, with nearly 160,000 people arriving by boat during this period. The situation reached historic levels in 2024, when a record 46,843 migrants arrived irregularly in Spain through the Canary Islands, surpassing the previous year’s record. Yet questions remain about what exactly happens to migrants after they disembark from their vessels. Here’s a complete guide to the procedures that await arrivals in the Canaries.
The first step when migrants reach the Canary Islands coastline is immediate medical assistance. Care is typically provided by the Red Cross and the Canary Islands Emergency Service, who assess the physical condition of those who have arrived. These organizations evaluate the migrants’ health status and provide necessary medical treatment after what are often dangerous and exhausting sea journeys that can last 6-7 days covering distances of 1,000-1,500 kilometers, particularly from Senegal and Gambia.
Simultaneously, police begin the process of identification and registration. This procedure involves establishing migrants’ age and nationality, as well as assessing their situation to determine whether they need international protection or should be referred to appropriate reception services. This initial assessment is crucial in determining the next steps in each individual’s case.
Who Takes Responsibility for the Migrants?
Responsibility for migrants depends entirely on their age, creating a clear division in how cases are handled. For adult migrants, the Spanish government—specifically the Ministry of the Interior—takes primary responsibility. This ministry handles initial identification, preliminary care, and potential repatriation or transfer of migrants to other facilities.
However, if the arrivals are unaccompanied minors, responsibility shifts to the Canary Islands government through its child protection services. This distinction in approach stems from the different needs and legal procedures that apply to minors, who require specialized care and protection under Spanish law. Currently, the Canary Islands are caring for approximately 5,800 unaccompanied minors in 86 centers, with an average occupancy rate of 123% of capacity, reaching peaks of 160% during surge periods.
Where Are Migrants Taken After Identification?
Once the initial identification process is complete, adult migrants are transferred to police facilities or temporary reception centers known as CATEs (Temporary Accommodation Centers for Foreigners). In these facilities, they undergo thorough identification procedures, including fingerprinting and comprehensive medical examinations. The maximum stay in such centers is 72 hours, after which decisions must be made about their next destination.
As of 2025, there are five CATEs operating in the Canary Islands: Lanzarote, El Hierro, Gran Canaria, and two new facilities. The CATE in El Hierro, with capacity for 500 people, became operational in January 2025. The Spanish government has also approved construction of two additional CATEs: one in Fuerteventura (600 places) and another in Adeje, Tenerife (350 places), representing a total investment of 7.4 million euros.
If immediate repatriation to their country of origin isn’t possible, migrants are directed to state-run reception centers managed by non-governmental organizations like the Red Cross, CEAR (Spanish Commission for Refugee Aid), ACCEM, and Cáritas. These facilities provide accommodation, meals, legal advice, and social support. Importantly, these centers can be located either in the Canary Islands themselves or in other parts of mainland Spain, depending on capacity and specific circumstances.
Do All Migrants Face Deportation Orders?
Contrary to what many might assume, not all migrants receive deportation orders from Spanish territory. Those considered to be in particularly vulnerable situations typically don’t receive such orders, and even if they do, the orders may be suspended or cancelled based on their profile or if they file an asylum application.
Understanding Vulnerable Situations
“Vulnerable migrants” are those who cannot effectively enjoy their human rights, face increased risk of violations and abuse, and therefore require special protection. This category specifically includes:
- Unaccompanied minors – children under 18 traveling without family members
- Asylum seekers and those needing international protection – people fleeing persecution or violence
- Pregnant women – especially when deportation could pose health risks
- Victims of trafficking or violence – those who have suffered exploitation or abuse
- People with health problems or disabilities – requiring medical care or special assistance
- Elderly persons without family support – particularly vulnerable due to age and isolation
- Individuals with mental health issues – needing specialized psychological care
Spain’s humanitarian assistance program provides extraordinary support for people meeting these vulnerability criteria, recognizing that their circumstances require differentiated treatment under both Spanish and international law.
Deportation orders are issued to foreign nationals who don’t meet the legal requirements to remain on Spanish territory and aren’t in situations requiring protection. From the moment they receive the order, they have one month to appeal the decision through legal channels. There’s also a voluntary departure period (typically 30 days) during which migrants can leave the country independently, which can result in reduced penalties.
Are Migrants Detained in Reception Centers?
It’s crucial to understand that reception centers are not detention facilities. They don’t have a police or prison character, and a deportation order doesn’t automatically mean detention or arrest. Theoretically, people staying in such centers can move freely, even without proper documentation.
However, the practice looks quite different from the theory. Migrants cannot leave the islands because, without documentation, they cannot board planes or ships. In many cases, they remain in centers because they lack financial resources and alternatives—they cannot legally work, rent apartments, or access housing.
This creates what amounts to “de facto detention.” Migrants have their passports confiscated if they possess them, and their exits from centers are controlled or supervised by staff. This situation effectively restricts their freedom of movement despite the theoretical absence of formal detention.
Freedom of Movement During the Day
Despite these restrictions, migrants can freely leave the centers during daytime hours. They have the right to handle personal affairs, look for work, take walks, or even sleep outside the center if they find alternative accommodation. They can spend their days as they choose, whether running errands, seeking employment opportunities, or simply moving around the local area.
However, many centers enforce a curfew that limits their freedom during nighttime hours. This policy ensures some level of oversight while still allowing considerable freedom during the day. The curfew system represents a compromise between providing migrants with personal autonomy and maintaining administrative control over their whereabouts.
Challenges with Legal Representation
A significant problem highlighted by recent investigations is the lack of adequate legal representation. Many migrants sign deportation documents without speaking to a lawyer, particularly at the Arguineguín port where there is often only one translator per boat of migrants. Legal aid organizations report that some lawyers justify their limited involvement by citing the unsanitary conditions at reception points, leading to inadequate legal protection for vulnerable arrivals.
Current Migration Trends and Dangers
The migration routes have shifted significantly. Previously, most departures were from Morocco and Western Sahara, but now the majority originate from Senegal and Gambia. These longer journeys of 1,000-1,500 kilometers take 6-7 days and have increased the danger considerably. El Hierro, despite being the smallest and most remote island, has become the primary arrival point since June 2024.
The year 2024 was the deadliest on record for the Canary route, with approximately 10,400 deaths according to the NGO Caminando Fronteras. This route has gained popularity due to increased surveillance and pressure from authorities on other European migration routes.
The Situation of Unaccompanied Minors
The Spanish government began implementing transfers of unaccompanied minors in July 2025, starting with 250 asylum-seeking children moved to the state-run Canarias 50 center. This is part of a larger plan to redistribute approximately 3,000-4,400 minors from the Canary Islands to other Spanish regions, with Madrid and Andalusia set to receive nearly half of these children.
However, the transfer process faces significant opposition from some regional governments and communities, with protests often promoted by far-right groups. A new obligatory redistribution system was approved by royal decree and will be applied for the first time in 2025, though its full implementation remains challenging.
State of Emergency and Response
In October 2023, the Spanish government declared a state of emergency to mobilize resources to address the migration crisis. The Canary Islands government has also declared an aggravated emergency situation due to the saturation of reception centers, which operate at 123% capacity on average, with peaks reaching 160% during surge periods.
This complex system reflects the challenging balance Spain must strike between humanitarian obligations, legal requirements, and practical limitations in managing large-scale migration to these Atlantic islands. While the framework provides theoretical protections and rights, the reality often falls short due to resource constraints, bureaucratic challenges, and political tensions surrounding migration policy.
