Spanish authorities have responded to accusations from the Canary Islands government directed at central agencies regarding the organization of the relocation of underage migrants. Minister of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration Elma Saiz stated that the process is proceeding in accordance with the Supreme Court’s ruling, albeit with delays.
Earlier, the President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, expressed dissatisfaction with how the distribution of migrant children arriving on the archipelago has been managed. He said the actions of the Spanish government appeared uncoordinated and were accompanied by delays. He also noted the lack of a clear protocol and the slow start to the relocation.
Minister Saiz emphasized that regular meetings are held between central and regional authorities regarding the implementation of the court’s decision made back in March 2024. According to this ruling, Madrid was required to assume responsibility for 827 underage migrants seeking asylum within 10 days.
In reality, the first children were transferred to the state protection system only in July, four months after the deadline. Earlier this week, the first ten minors were sent to the mainland, to the city of Gijón, marking the first stage of the relocation.
According to the minister, the delay is due to the need to refit government facilities that were previously intended for adult accommodation. Sais noted that conditions for minors require a special approach, and emphasized that there are different categories among the children—for example, girls who might have relatives in other regions, and boys who arrived in Spain completely alone.
The ministry also highlighted the importance of confidentiality when relocating minors. The agency refused to disclose details about routes and the locations where the children will be housed, aiming to protect them from possible persecution and retraumatization. Specifically, authorities removed a banner with Nazi symbols from one facility that called for the deportation of migrant children.
Sais called on the public, regional authorities, and the media to show restraint and respect the privacy of minors, and not to share information that could jeopardize their safety. She stressed that all necessary data is provided only to the organizations directly involved in supporting and protecting the children.
Spanish authorities continue to work on implementing the court decision and relocating underage migrants from the Canary Islands to the mainland. In the near future, new stages of distributing children across regions are expected, where conditions for their integration and protection will be created.
