Spain’s chief prosecutor has set strict rules for relocating unaccompanied migrant minors from Ceuta. Regional authorities risk intervention if they refuse to accept their assigned share. The move follows a record influx.
Spain’s Attorney General, Teresa Peramato, has issued a decree compelling regional prosecutors to intervene if autonomous communities refuse to accept unaccompanied migrant minors transferred from Ceuta. The directive comes just a week after more than 72,000 people entered the city irregularly, according to the Ministry of the Interior, putting unprecedented pressure on local resources and child protection systems.
The new guidelines, published by the Fiscalía, require prosecutors in both the origin (Ceuta) and destination regions to coordinate closely on each minor’s transfer. The prosecutor in Ceuta must inform their counterpart in the receiving region about the minors being relocated, including the status of any ongoing age determination procedures. Once notified, the destination region’s prosecutor is tasked with ensuring that local child protection authorities provide immediate and adequate care for the arriving minors.
Peramato’s order makes clear that prosecutors must act if a regional government resists or delays the reception of minors assigned to them. If a community refuses to accept its share or fails to communicate its decision, the prosecutor in Ceuta is required to notify the destination region’s prosecutor, forwarding the official relocation decision and any objections raised. The receiving prosecutor must then demand that the regional authority designate the most suitable resource to guarantee the minors’ protection upon arrival, and keep Ceuta’s prosecutor informed throughout the process.
The decree references Article 6.4 of the Royal Decree regulating emergency measures for the protection of unaccompanied migrant minors. This legal provision obliges destination regions to receive minors and carry out all necessary actions within their competence, ensuring comprehensive care and proper accommodation. If a region refuses, it must seek assistance from national law enforcement, which will alert the Fiscalía. The law also warns of potential liabilities for non-compliance.
Spain’s approach to the redistribution of unaccompanied minors has been under scrutiny, especially after the recent surge in arrivals. The government previously allocated €25 million to support Ceuta’s efforts, as detailed in a recent report on emergency funding for the city. The current decree signals a tougher stance, aiming to ensure that no region can block or delay the transfer process without facing legal consequences.
Unaccompanied migrant minors in Spain are entitled to state protection, with responsibilities shared between the central government and autonomous communities. The legal framework requires that each region contribute to the care and integration of these minors, particularly during periods of extraordinary migration pressure. Ceuta, as a border city, often faces acute challenges due to its proximity to Morocco and limited capacity. The new prosecutorial measures are designed to enforce compliance and prevent administrative bottlenecks that could leave vulnerable children without proper care. The situation remains dynamic, with authorities monitoring both the flow of arrivals and the response of regional governments to the redistribution mandate.
