Nicasio Galván asserts that the “magnet effect” is contributing and calls for “immediate repatriation”
SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 19th March (EUROPA PRESS) –
All political parties in the Canary Islands, except Vox, have officially given their support today for the pact between the central and regional governments to amend article 35 of the immigration law. The aim is to establish a mandatory process for the redistribution of unaccompanied migrant minors among different autonomous communities.
This was announced by the President of Parliament, Fernando Clavijo, after a meeting with the seven spokespersons, praising their “sensible approach” and how the practices in the Canary Islands lead to successful outcomes.
He highlighted the “loyalty, support and display of unity” from all parties, which greatly influenced the central government to put forth a solution with a streamlined and efficient process to ensure proper care for the minors.
Clavijo expects the legal amendment to be completed by April, with the next step being to define quotas and criteria for minor distribution. This will be followed by seeking political backing in the Cortes.
Additionally, the President commended the willingness of all Canary Islands spokespersons to engage with the Congress of Deputies’ Board of Spokespersons to explain the process and extended an invitation for them to visit the islands to gain a better understanding of the situation.
Currently, there are 5,357 unaccompanied minors under the care of the Canary Islands, accommodated across 74 facilities.
The Socialist spokesperson, Sebastián Franquis, described the issue as being dealt with through a “principle of agreement” between governments, acknowledging that it’s a national concern. He also noted the difference in migratory pressure compared to recent times and expressed hope that this agreement, with the failure of the voluntary phase, will progress towards finalization through the legislative process in Congress.
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Spokesperson for ASG, Casimiro Curbelo, urged for a prompt conclusion to the agreement and emphasised the need for the central government to provide the necessary financial resources for the autonomous communities to handle the distribution effectively.
Nicasio Galván (Vox) criticised the agreement as another attempt to shift the problem to other regions of Spain in an attempt to conceal it.
He acknowledged the severity of the issue and insisted on the necessity of “immediate repatriation” and enforcing international agreements with the countries of origin to prevent enhancing the “magnet effect”.
“By relocating minors from the Canary Islands to other regions, we are completing the final stage of what we refer to as the ‘holiday terror package’ that criminal organisations offer to minors, exposing them to risks in the Atlantic,” he added.
Luz Reverón, spokesperson for the People’s Party, expressed the party’s readiness to support the legal reform, stressing the importance of a transparent text from both governments outlining clear and objective criteria for distribution, without leaving it to the discretion of the Spanish Prime Minister.
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Raúl Acosta (AHI) appreciated the agreement reached between governments but cautioned about the complexity of establishing swift and objective criteria, pointing out the potential of legal challenges from autonomous communities citing a supposed lack of jurisdiction or requesting preventative measures.
Acosta highlighted the core issue of determining responsibility for immigration and suggested a potential “state pact” as outlined in the Constitution if it falls under the State’s jurisdiction.
He mentioned the Canary Islands’ current struggle of housing nearly 6,000 minors single-handedly and raised concerns about the sluggish pace of regulatory modifications that could lead to legal challenges from autonomous communities before the Constitutional Court.
The Nationalist Group’s spokesperson, José Miguel Barragán, expressed positive sentiments regarding the agreement but stressed the importance of finalising the text to establish distribution quotas, financial allocations, and the operational procedures for autonomous communities to accept this revised guardianship system.
The parliamentary spokesperson for NC-BC, Luis Campos, appreciated the initial willingness for consensus shown by PSOE and PP but believed that the Canary Islands’ Board of Spokespersons must now exert a positive influence on all groups represented in the Cortes Generales to achieve a significant agreement, though he anticipated challenges given the historical lack of success with voluntary arrangements among autonomous communities.
