Spanish lawmakers have approved a plan to relocate thousands of underage migrants from overcrowded youth centres in the Canary Islands and other outposts to mainland regions, aiming to ease pressure on areas facing high migration flows.
Spanish lawmakers approved on Thursday a plan to relocate thousands of underage migrants staying in cramped youth centres, mainly on the Canary Islands, to the rest of the country as its outposts struggle to cope with higher migration flows.
The seven Spanish islands off northwestern Africa's Atlantic coast host more than 6,000 migrant minors and the North African enclave of Ceuta over 800, living in overcrowded centres in substandard conditions.
The Canarian archipelago is still struggling to absorb an all-time migration peak from 2024, although irregular migration has slowed down by 28% this year.
Under-18s who migrate alone to Spain are entitled to government protection and aid by law.
The number of children and teenagers arriving in Spain without their parents or tutors more than doubled over the last three years, according to Regional Minister Angel Victor Torres.
"It's a humanitarian issue, but also an opportunity. These children will be part of our economic structure, of our labour, social and cultural potential in the future. Let us invest in their future, because their future will be everyone's future," he told the lower house.
The plan, which according to Youth Minister Sira Rego could begin this summer, takes into account several factors such as each region's population, per capita income and unemployment. It also factors in how many migrants under 18 every region already handles.
Spain's 17 regions had to detail by the end of March how many underage migrants they have under their care and how many they can assist, so the ministry could calculate how to redistribute them.
"Today it's Ceuta, Melilla and the Canary Islands, but tomorrow it could be any other territory," Torres said.
The Atlantic route is especially dangerous, as the ocean's rough weather can easily capsize the fragile rafts, pirogues and dinghies used by most migrants.
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The Trump administration is reviewing possible changes to a Biden-era rule that restricts global access to advanced AI chips, including potentially scrapping the current system that divides countries into three tiers, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to end the war in Ukraine, even as missile strikes continue across the country.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday invited global scientists to make Europe their new home, amid rising pressure on U.S. universities under the Trump administration.
North Korea has conducted the first weapons test on its new “Choe Hyon-class” warship, firing cruise missiles, anti-air missiles, and artillery, state media reported on Wednesday.
Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Wednesday that India is planning a military strike within the next 24 to 36 hours, citing credible intelligence.
The Trump administration is reviewing possible changes to a Biden-era rule that restricts global access to advanced AI chips, including potentially scrapping the current system that divides countries into three tiers, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
China has renewed its call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and demanded that Israel cease its military operations in Lebanon and Syria, warning of escalating instability across the Middle East.
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to end the war in Ukraine, even as missile strikes continue across the country.
President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree renaming Volgograd International Airport as Stalingrad, invoking Soviet wartime memory as Russia continues its war in Ukraine.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday invited global scientists to make Europe their new home, amid rising pressure on U.S. universities under the Trump administration.
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