LA LAGUNA (TENERIFE), 25 (EUROPA PRESS)
The Minister for Social Welfare of the Canary Islands Government, Candelaria Delgado, has defended the movement of migrant minors between islands this Friday to “standardise” their ages, as it is inappropriate to have “a child of 12, 13, or 14 years alongside those who are 17 or about to turn 17”.
“The facilities are what they are, the personnel are what they are, and we endeavour, within all these options and possibilities, to provide the best possible care for the children that is also appropriate for their age,” he informed journalists following the inauguration of events in La Laguna.
He dismissed claims that the transfers occur “without prior notice,” as it is the directors of the centres who determine the profiles of minors and identify those who are not suited to their current environment, while also emphasising that the Canary Islands is experiencing an “emergency” and a “migration crisis.”
“We cannot implement a comprehensive support measure for all minors when we do not possess the required infrastructure and personnel,” he emphasised.
He further mentioned that following instructions from the Prosecutor’s Office, there must be “available spaces” in centres on the islands of first arrival, primarily Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and El Hierro, and that occasionally there are minors who turn 18 and must vacate the centres, again following the Prosecutor’s Office’s orders. “This has been communicated to us numerous times,” he added.
For instance, when a minor reaches adulthood and departs a centre, a “reaccompaniment” to their family on the Peninsula is organised, since the best interests of the minor must always be ensured and where “they will be better off.”
In relation to a specific case where a minor was moved from Tenerife to Gran Canaria—leading to complaints from students at a secondary school in El Sauzal—he mentioned that the individual has moved from the Hoya Fría centre, which houses almost 300 minors, to one accommodating 30 minors.
“Clearly, this minor is now in a much better situation and among peers of his own age on the island of Gran Canaria, where he will continue his education, as that cannot be taken away from anyone,” he remarked.
He also did not shy away from admitting that if the reform of the immigration law progresses, many of the minors currently on the islands will be relocated to the Peninsula and will subsequently be integrated into schools.
“In the Canary Islands, we cannot continue to sustain the number of minors we have, and that is indisputable,” he stressed.
“MAKE ROOM TODAY FOR TOMORROW”
He even mentioned that once the age determination tests conducted by the Prosecutor’s Office are complete, the Government will be alerted that it needs to provide care for additional minors, estimating that there are “200 or 300” more moving from Las Raíces to the regional Government’s reception network, which necessitates making room today and tomorrow.
Regarding the proposal to amend the immigration law, he pointed out that his administration will persist in making “every effort” for PSOE and PP to convene and reach an agreement, recalling that they have already made “three requests” to the State.
“One, for not assuming their responsibilities; another, concerning the minors with international protection who have had their asylum requests recognised and whose accommodation must depend on State facilities as mandated by law; and a third related to financial matters – the request for 165 million euros,” he stated.
